by DONNA BEVLY
(CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS)
ALL OF US AS DOG LOVERS HAVE HAD THAT ONE EXCEPTIONAL DOG. KATEE WAS MINE. I HAD HER PUT TO SLEEP LAST FRIDAY, AS HER CONDITION WORSENED AND I COULDN’T BEAR TO WATCH HER SUFFER ANY LONGER. IT WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I’VE EVER HAD TO DO, BUT I KNOW IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I MADE A LITTLE ALTAR FOR HER MEMORY, SURROUNDING IT WITH PICTURES OF HER THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. WE HAD MANY LAUGHS, FUN, AND GOOD MEMORIES.
ON THE LITTLE ALTAR I PUT HER COLLAR, TAGS, ONE BANDANA AND SOME OF HER FAVORITE THINGS. I WOULD ADVISE NOT TO GET RID OF THEIR LOVED ONES’ THINGS AT LEAST FOR A WHILE. I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO GET RID OF EVERYTHING BUT THAT’S NOT TRUE. I NEED THIS ALTAR FOR HER TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE.
I WILL PUT HER ASHES THERE LATER.
THERE WAS NOT A TRICK SHE COULDN’T LEARN. I LIVED ON A 28 ACRE WOODED RANCH WHERE SHE RAN FREE AND NEVER TRIED TO LEAVE. SHE CHASED BUNNIES (NEVER HURT THEM), MY CHICKENS, AND ARMADILLOS. HER LIFE WAS FULL AND HAPPY AND SHE WAS MUCH LOVED AND SPOILED.
IT HURTS ALOT, THE PAIN SOMETIMES IS UNBEARABLE. I REFUSE TO ALLOW MY MIND TO SPIN HER LAST FEW MINUTES OF LIFE, BUT, TO RECALL ALL THE GOOD MEMORIES SHE GAVE.
MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT ME A YORKIE TO LOVE AND SHE IS TAKING CARE OF IT UNTIL I FEEL LIKE I CAN CARE FOR HER. GOING FROM A LAB TO A YORKIE IS QUITE A DIFFERENCE SO I HAVE LOTS TO LEARN. NO DOG WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF KATEE. FOR ME, I LIVE ALONE, AND I ALWAYS NEED A DOG TO LOVE.
I’M 69 YEARS OLD. DONNA
Loss
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know it’s hard to loose a dear one that was your companion for so long. I know that no yorkie will be able to replace Katee, but I am a firm believer that when one looses a pet that the best way to continue the love you have for Katee is to get another puppy as soon as you feel up to it. This way you have someone to carry and share the love you have for her. I am 61 years old to and I have a 2 year old Yorkie named Sweetpea. You can see her picture on this website. We are also getting her a playmate we named Pebbles.
Rest in Peace Katee
Hi Donna,
Your story about Katee brought tears to my eyes. Now Katee is running like the wind chasing things beyond her wildest imagination. One of the kindest things you can ever do is letting your beloved pet cross to the rainbow bridge when the time is necessary. The quality of life is far more important than the quantity of life.
I know how your heart is aching and there is a hole there that Katee used to fill. It will be swallowed up by the wonderful memories that you have and the void will ache less one day. No, it will never fully go away but happiness will help it heal. When your ready, bring your new dog home and let it start helping bring the warmth to your heart that loving a creature of God does.
I have had pets my entire life, each one has left a pawprint on my heart. I know I still have plenty of room left for more . My husband and I are in our early 50’s and have no children. Our furbabies are our kids. We currently have 2 dogs and are beginning to talk of getting a 3rd. We have had Boston Terriers in the past, with our Clyde passing last year. We just feel like our house isn’t quite home without a Boston running around in it.
So, my heart aches with you. I would like you to know I understand how much your Katee meant to you and thank you for sharing her life with me.
Remember her with love. I belive that our pets wait for us to join them. One day, Katee will sniff the air, look over her shoulder and see you coming to join her.
My sympathy and best wishes to you during this difficult time.
Vicki