Katie the Wonder Dog - RIP

[Jeff Higgins]

"We always wondered what she was good for..." Other than all of the love and devotion any one of us deserves from someone like her.

It's been a week, so I can finally (almost) type this without completely tearing up - we had to put our beloved Golden Retriever, Katie, down last week. She had a good run - thirteen years ain't bad for a Golden - but cancer finally got her. We will all, of course, miss her dearly. She had a lot of personality, even for a Golden.

I don't know where dogs go, or even where we go, but if there is any semblance of a "heaven" or anything, all I know is I want to go wherever they go.

You're a good girl, Katie - RIP.

[rwest]

Sorry about your loss Jeff,

Goldens are such great dogs, I volunteer for the golden rescue in MN so I can get my fix.

[speeder]

So sorry to hear. Dogs are just better than people, it's tough.

We always had Goldens growing up in Minnesota, they love to be in the water. My parents would canoe to the other side of the lake at our cabin to have dinner w their friends and the dog would follow them, swimming alongside. He'd get a ride home in the canoe.

Dug up this old photo from up at the lake, Ernie w my mom and sister back in the late '80s.

[Geary]

Sorry for that, Jeff .. almost every dog I've had has taken a little bit of me when they left ..

[dad911]

Sorry for your loss Jeff.

[Max Von]

My deepest condolences. Your love for your girl made me cry. When we get them as pups, we never imagine how hard it is to say goodbye. You made her life very happy. Good job Dad.

[pwd72s]

Hurts like hell to say goodbye to a loved pet. A hole in your heart that will always be there. Yet somehow, we're able to open our hearts to another.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Geary

Sorry for that, Jeff .. almost every dog I've had has taken a little bit of me when they left ..

That is a fact, but they always bring more than they take.

Sorry to hear about your friend Jeff. I just lost a friend last weekend, two legged kind though. Well, one and a half.

[fanaudical]

Sorry to hear. Thank you for giving her a good life. She is a beauty.

I've never had a Golden Retriever, but many of my friends have. I've never met one who didn't love me back unconditionally from the moment of that first sniff. Fantastic dogs.

[masraum]

So sorry for your loss. We've got 2 dogs, one 12 and the other ~11. I'm not looking forward to the day.

[WolfeMacleod]

ahhh Jeff, I'm sorry man.

[RKDinOKC]

Very sincere condolences.

My first Golden, Penny, lived 17-1/2 years. And she was the type of dog that was always within 3 ft of me and as smart and well behaved as the best service dog. Took her everywhere. It was really tough when she passed of old age. After two months I just couldn't handle it and got another golden puppy, Camber.

Camber was a great dog. but hated riding in vehicles. Didn't behave quite as well a Penny, but talked english and trimmed her own toe nails. After Mom came down with Alzheimer's Camber got more attached to Mom than me. She slept in Mom's room and sometimes on her bed. At 13 Pepper got inoperable cancer on her spine and was starting to suffer. When we got home the morning we put her down Mom went back to bed and refused to get up for anything.

The next morning Mom still refused to get out of bed so I called around and found a Golden puppy. That evening finally got Mom up and went to get Pepper. It was amazing. Getting Pepper woke Mom up. Mom started getting out of bed early in the morning and doing things she hadn't done in years. Mom went from asking 6 times the 4 miles to her hair dresser where we were going to cooking her own meals (so she could feed Pepper from her plate). They were inseparable.

Sadly it only lasted 4 months until Mom, 95 passed away. She was walking back to bed in the middle of the night. Pepper came and woke me taking me to Mom and licked her face. The EMT's said Mom had passed before she hit the floor.

So now I have Pepper. A 2-1/2 yo Golden that still acts like a wiggly little puppy around new people that minds as well as Penny, and talks as well as Camber.

[stealthn]

So sorry, I am coming up on a year of loss.

This helped me:

"I know that you must miss me,
by the tears rolling down your face.
But believe me when I tell you that,
I'm in a very good place.

There are meadows here to run in,
And plenty of rabbits to chase.
There are other dogs to play with,
To frolick with and race.

So please don't worry about me,
My spirit feels light as can be.
There's no more pain to plague me,
I'm young again and free.

And I'll be watching over you still,
of that you can be sure.
I'm your canine guardian angel,
And my love for you remains pure."

[rusnak]

Sorry to read this. It makes me so sad.

Katie the Wonderdog, you will live on in the memories of lives of your loving family.

[crustychief]

RIP Katie. Jeff, I am sorry for your loss. Regards, Sandy

[Craig T]

I'm so sorry. Everybody posting here knows how badly losing a dog hurts. They give us so much.

[billybek]

Sorry to hear of your loss.
Will think of Katie when I throw the ball for my Pepper tomorrow.

[Baz]

Sorry Jeff.....I can't imagine how much it hurts and how hard it was to post about Katie. But appreciate the pics and your words of praise (which of course are not enough to adequately portray how incredible the devotion of a 4-legged companion is). But like Craig said...we all get it and are mourning with you.

Run free Katie.....run free.....

[SiberianDVM]

Every time I am convinced that all of us are crotchety old bastards, along comes proof that once upon a time, some dog loved us.

And dogs are much better judges of people than people are.

RIP Katie.

[widgeon13]

She was a beautiful soul, RIP Katie. Sorry for your loss.

They are a family member in so many ways!

She is running with Widgeon in the green grass and chasing tennis balls!