Kaylie, first and best of my Ontario dogs

[kaytris]

In March 1997, new to Toronto and pet less after losing my cat suddenly before Christmas, I decided the time was right for a new dog. Searching first at the Humane Society, I was rejected due to our lack of a fenced yard and my roommate's cats. So off I went to Animal Control with my short list of requirements - I wanted a young short haired medium sized dog, but not a puppy or a senior. I narrowed it down to two dogs, a boxer and a yellow lab - I took both out to cat-test them, and both were fine.. but when I returned the lab to her kennel, she curled one forepaw around my leg and refused to let go... and that was it, 'CJ' , a 2? yo lab was coming home with me.

It wasn't a smooth ride initially - she liked to jump up on top of the dining table to help herself to leftovers, especially margarine, she had terrible stomach issues and the sight of another dog on our walks turned her into a raging cujo-impersonator. Off we went to obedience class, and then another obedience class, and then a tricks class, and then we tried out something called "agility" . Although it never really was kaylie's favourite thing, she did her best to humour me. What she loved best is to run run RUN in the forest and ravine parks in Toronto and outside the city.

Although she was never a 'dog' dog, she put up with, and learned to love, a certain goofy labpuppy that I foisted on her in 1999, and she taught both him and eventually baby Sophie some manners, and occasionally deigned to play with them..

In late 2008, she began dragging one hind foot on occasion - knowing she is likely part shepherd, we suspected that she was developing myelopathy. We began carefully monitoring her gait, and got some sturdy boots to protect her draggy foot. She continued to enjoy her curtailed walks and bounced up and down in greeting her favourite people and dogs. I took a holiday to visit family and compete with Sophie in an agility event in Calgary earlier this month, and Kaylie was in heaven pottering around a friend's farm and on the beach in eastern Ontario. Although her balance had been noticeably declining recently, she was still eating and enjoying herself,a nd was happy to see me and her canine siblings again last week.

Monday, I came home to a dog that couldn't stand and wouldn't eat... I was able to brace her up and get her to walk to the back steps and into the backyard - but she wasn't able to hold herself up on her own, and clearly was in distress. I made her as comfortable as possible, got a couple bites of hamburger down her and tried to get some sleep.

Waking up to a moaning/keening dog on the sofa, who had declined further in the night and began falling forward even if propped up, and wasn't able to walk even a few steps, it was patently clear that her journey with me was ending. Kaylie, born sometime in 1994 or 95, adopted in 1997, went to her final rest on Aug 17, 2010.

"So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay"

[Mary Jane]

Oh I cry with you......I am so sorry for your loss Nancy.

[brody]

Bloody allergies - been bugging me all day!
Kaylie lived large and lived well - she has a piec eof my heart with her - I can only imagine how big the hole in your heart is - but her love and the memories will keep it full

hang in there



Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!



Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the song that will never end.
I am the love of family and friend.
I am the child who has come to rest
In the arms of the Father who knows him best.

When you see the sunset fair,
I am the scented evening air.
I am the joy of a task well done.
I am the glow of the setting sun.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

~ Mary E. Frye ~

[Kaylasmom]

I'm so sorry to hear this, prayers for you and your family; thanks for sharing Kaylie's story.

[Bob Pr.]

Thank you for the years of love and understanding you had with Kaylie.

[theoconbrio]

What a wonderful life you gave Kaylie, and she gave you. RIP, girl.

[bearsdad]

Thank you for sharing her story with us Nancy. She was loved greatly.

Godspeed Sweet Kaylie... Godspeed

[MidwestGirl]

I am so sorry Nancy. Rest in peace sweet Kaylie.

[debjen]

Rest well Kaylie..Thinking of you Nancy

[zoesmom]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you.
Run free, Kaylie. You did have a wonderful life.