Kaite came into my life the same year my mom died. That was in 1994. You see, my mom died on March 3, 1994 and Katie was given to me as a gift for my birthday on March 5, 1994. When I first saw this little ball of fur I did not know what to think. Please don’t get me wrong I love animals, especially dogs, but I just lost my mom and I was devasted. Mom battled lung cancer for two years. My family did everything under the sun to save her but God wanted her home. I was exhausted after my mom died and the very thought of taking care of this puppy was not on my to do list. But after I decided to keep her I knew it was the best decision. Katie brought me such joy and love at a time in my life when I needed it most. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful and sweet Katie was. She was certainly the joy of my life. I loved her and took care of her as if she was my daughter and in many ways she was. Katie only lived for nine years. When she was eight she developed kidney disease.

I was again in my life devasted. I could not ever imagine living in a world without her. She meant everything to me. She followed me everywhere. I took this dog everywhere. She loved to go “by-by’s”. Well after the vet could no longer help Katie I decided to take her to VCA in Gaithersburg Maryland. This is a special Vet center for very sick pets. Katie lived for one year after she was diagnosed. When she was dying I would go after work and sit with her in the intensive care unit. On the day that she died I went to visit her not knowing this was going to be the last time I would see my little girl. When the vet called me and said her little heart could no longer take the strain-I could not believe what I was hearing. I saw Katie that night lying still on the table with a blanket covering her. I kissed my little girl and she felt cold. I said my last good-bye. The vet gave me a beautiful book called Dog Heaven. She even wrote a message and signed the book. I would like to send you a copy of this book Mark. I hope you will except it from one dog lover to another. I have faith in God and I know that she is in Heaven with my mom and my dad (who died the same year as Katie – 2003). Maybe one day I will get another dog but for right now I can’t. Thank you Mark for allowing me to share my story with you. I am sending the book Dog Heaven to you as a “thank you” for sharing your beautiful story for the world to read. God Bless you and your family.

Grace from MD