Yesterday was twelve years since Mom got my big sister Katie. Let’s start with the human mischief. On the morning of August 31, 2002 in Germany, Mom had no idea she was going to be getting a second dog, let alone a Kuvasz. On a whim she drove to the Tierheim (like a Humane Society) to adopt an adult dog but it turned out to be a terrible experience and disaster. There were some white puppies in the paper, so she decided to have a look. Mom never wanted an all white dog because they are always dirty, but unknown powers sent her to check out the puppies out and she came home with Katie. Katie is so special to me. I have been with her almost my entire life and we are best friends. For mischief today, I thought I would post some photos of Katie’s mischievous endeavors over the past twelve years. She may be a refined older lady these days, but that was definitely not always the case. I wish Mom had taken more photos, but digital cameras were new and she didn’t have a blog, so there aren’t photos of many things.
Katie immediately took to Mom’s other dog Trine. Trine was nine years old and had no real desire to hang out with a wild puppy, but she put up with Katie.
From day one, Katie had big dreams and aspirations. No stick or branch was too big for her to haul around.
Both Trine and Katie enjoyed playing tug a war. Those poor, poor toys!
Katie has always loved playing with balls that are like soccer balls. Unfortunately, these plastic kid’s balls didn’t last long with her. Trine was only interested in tennis balls and couldn’t understand this love of Katie’s. Sadly, Trine passed away on October 21, 2003, leaving Katie as an only dog for about three years.
When I entered the picture in November 2006, Katie was ready and willing to show me some mischief, including how to demolish a Mallard.
Katie’s best friend in Germany was Kenai who sadly passed away a few years ago. Katie was around her from the time she was a puppy until we moved back to the US. Kenai and Katie enjoyed hours and hours of playing and running on the beaches of the North Sea.
Katie and I loved being on the beach, as did Mom. We went to the beach every day and got to race around off leash. It was so much fun and such good exercise, not to mention all the healthy sea air we were breathing.
We found water here in the US too, but it just isn’t the same as the North Sea. It’s more like big puddles than bodies of water. Nevertheless, we enjoy the water. Well, I do, Katie only goes in up to her belly.
The snow in Minnesota is wonderful. We only got a dusting in Germany, but here we get a boat load and we totally love it!
Katie and I used to play chase and wrestle all the time. My eyes kind of look like Bailie’s eyes look these days. Maybe it is a GBGV thing?
Even at almost twelve years old last winter, Katie still had some mischief left for puppy Bailie.
Katie is one extraordinary dog! I love her to pieces and can’t imagine life without her. I sure hope she is around for many more years and she keeps on having fun with Bailie and me. Happy Labor Day to everyone!
I am joining the Monday Mischief blog hop brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, My Brown Newfies.
Reilly and Denny says
September 1, 2014 at 06:44she does sound like one very special dog and she has done a wonderful job in taking you both under her paw and teaching you the way of the dog 🙂
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:19She is a super gentle and patient dog!
Susan C. Willett says
September 1, 2014 at 07:16Katie sounds like a really special dog; you’re lucky to have her as a big sister.
Happy birthday Katie!
Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:19She is an awesome big sister!
SlimDoggy (@MySlimDoggy) says
September 1, 2014 at 07:39What a great story and photos – thanks for sharing. The pictures are great – I don’t think I’d seen a picture of Trine before – what a beautiful pair they were – B&W. Katie sure is a special girl – you’re lucky to have such a good big sister Emma.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:21They were total opposites just like their colors, but in the end, we think Katie took on lots of Trine’s traits. Trine was such a sweet dog, and once Katie got out of her puppy years she took on a lot of that niceness.
Talent Hounds says
September 1, 2014 at 08:11Happy birthday Katie! You are such a great fur sister 🙂
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:22She is awesome and even with her age and arthritis, she likes to be part of all the things we do.
Brian says
September 1, 2014 at 08:16Happy Gotcha Day pretty Katie and Happy No Labor Labor Day everyone!
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:22No laboring here!
Molly The Wally says
September 1, 2014 at 08:51Lovely to see Katie and happy 12th Gotcha Day to her. Have a marvellous Monday and Happy Labour Day to you.
Best wishes Molly
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:23Happy Labor Day! We had our long walk and will now be putting our paws up for the rest of the day!
Sparkle the PBGV says
September 1, 2014 at 09:07What a pawsome walk down memory lane with you and Katie. She has always been a beautiful girl. You were a cutie as a pup yourself…even with those “crazy eyes!” Guess your mom had a change of heart about white dogs which is super lucky for you and Bailie! I love toys and have killed a mallard, an armadillo, and many more because I love to play tug of war and chew on them. I have even destroyed toys that are labeled “sturdy.” I play fetch with the mom (no she is not the retriever – I am!) I love to chew hard on my Nylabones. I just love toys! XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:24I was never big into toys, but Katie and Bailie are. Bailie is the big destroyer here, it makes Mom nuts because she never had a dog that liked to shred things like Bailie does. We just hope she grows out of it one day.
dollythedoxie says
September 1, 2014 at 09:14We really enjoyed getting to know Katie better, we loved all of the pictures, and now we have such a better idea of what kind of a dog she is. She’s a very special part of Emma’s and now Bailies life, they are so lucky to have her! Love Dolly
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 09:25She is a great role model. Mom says she picked that up from Trine. Katie was a really rotten puppy the first couple years and made Mom cry a lot, but once she grew up she turned wonderful. We love her!
dashlilly says
September 1, 2014 at 09:29Hooray for Katie! Somedays I wish I had a big sister like Katie. You sure are lucky. And, hey Emma — your ears were so dark when you were a puppy! Wow! Have a great day and give Katie extra snuggles on this special day. Your doodle friend, Dash
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:53Bailie and I both totally faded out, oh well. Katie was born white and will always be white, no change for her! We are lucky to have her as a big sis. Happy Labor Day!
Laika says
September 1, 2014 at 09:30What wonderful pictures of you all. Love to see them 🙂
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:53Thank you.
Groovy Goldendoodles says
September 1, 2014 at 10:02Katie seems like a really terrific big sister, you two younger girls need to treat her extra special from time to time. She deserves it 🙂 Happy Labor Day to you too!
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:54We try to be nice to her and save the fighting and stuff for just Bailie and I. Mom gives her lots of extra attention.
easyweimaraner says
September 1, 2014 at 10:30Happy belated Gotcha day to your beautiful sister! It’s great to have a big sister, isn’t it? Maybe my mom can catch a bottle of north sea water and a bag of sea air for you when she drives to germany? I had the same Mallard as I was a puppy, think this ducky is the most popular dog toy ever :o)
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:55I think every pup has had one at one point and I think most of them are dead! We would love some wind and water from the North Sea. You should ride along and go nuts on the beach!
Jen Jelly says
September 1, 2014 at 10:33Katie seems like she’s a great older sister. I don’t know much about the breed but she is stunning. That photo of Katie resting on Trine is so precious. Time goes by so fast, 12 years already.. I feel like it goes quickly at least.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:56Mom can’t believe it on one hand but then again she feels like she has had Katie forever. The Kuvasz is a very difficult breed, bred to work independently without humans, so they are certainly challenging, but Mom was up to the challenge.
FleaByte says
September 1, 2014 at 10:51Awwww. Thank you for sharing Katie’s photo montage. That first photo of her and Trine makes Trine look like a monster, mostly because I know that Katie is so big now. What a sweet, beautiful dog. Emma and Baillie are lucky to have such a great big sister.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 10:57I’m usually happy to have her for a big sister, but as with any sibling, we sometimes have our issues. Most of the time she is just a wonderful lady dog, though.
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
September 1, 2014 at 12:02Happy Gotcha DaY!!!!! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 13:46Thank you. Katie is my special big sister!
Frankie and Ernie says
September 1, 2014 at 13:09♫ HAPPY BIRFDAY TO KATIE ! ♫
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 13:47🙂 She’s got her paws up, relaxing!
Ann "Paws" Staub says
September 1, 2014 at 13:17What a super cute puppy and extraordinary young lady Miss Katie was! Sounds like you’ve learned from the best Emma!
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 13:47Mom says Trine taught Katie who has taught me…Bailie is still a work in progress!
M. K. Clinton says
September 1, 2014 at 14:22What a sweet story, it put a lump in my throat. Katie is a lovely lady and it is fun seeing her run about as a young girl. ☺ Emma, you were cute as a button when you were a baby too! ♥
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 15:44I know. Mom kept feeding me and I just grew up, but it happens to the best of us.
Jan K says
September 1, 2014 at 14:54Oh, it was so fun to see the photos of Katie when she was younger (and to see Trine too)! Now she just seems like the perfect, quiet big sister, but it’s great to see a little more of her fun side too.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 15:45She is so totally mellow. Hard to believe how awful she was as a puppy. I only knew her when she had finally gotten out of the naughty puppy stages at about 3 yrs old.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
September 1, 2014 at 16:24Katie seems like quite the mischief maker when she was younger. And I agree, it’s hard keeping light colored dogs clean!
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 17:39Mom found out after the fact that the Kuvasz has self cleaning fur, so she is always clean as a whistle, doesn’t get that staining or anything like most white dogs.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 20:29She was trouble with a capital “T”, but she matured and turned out to be wonderful.
Sage says
September 1, 2014 at 19:25I’m so glad to get to know more about Katie. She sounds like a great friend, Emma, to you and Bailie. I’m sure she’s taught you a lot–I know my Toby did.
Emmadog says
September 1, 2014 at 20:30She is very wise, patient, and kind. We love her.
Whitley Westie says
September 1, 2014 at 21:27Happy Gotcha Day Katie!
Emmadog says
September 2, 2014 at 05:25She says thank you. She is one happy pup!
Lauren Miller says
September 1, 2014 at 21:42They are all so cute!! 😀
Emmadog says
September 2, 2014 at 05:25Thank you.
Clowie says
September 2, 2014 at 02:33Have a wonderful day, Katie!
I hope you all have a good time celebrating!
It was lovely to see the photos of Katie when she was younger.
Emmadog says
September 2, 2014 at 05:26According to Mom she was a holy terror!
Clowie says
September 2, 2014 at 07:14My bipeds say that they can easily believe that – and then said some rude things about me as a puppy!
Emmadog says
September 2, 2014 at 07:53My mom says she can imagine you may have been similar to Katie.
Maria Sadowski says
September 2, 2014 at 08:42Love all these photos. Katie is such a beautiful girl, and how cute she was as a puppy! =D
Emmadog says
September 2, 2014 at 09:34Everyone called her an Eisbaer, polar bear cub in Germany. She was adorable, now she is just beautiful.
Nature by Dawn says
September 2, 2014 at 17:05Awe, Katie. You’re so cute and beautiful. Happy Birthday! <3
Emmadog says
September 3, 2014 at 05:16She definitely went from cutie to beauty.
2 Brown Dawgs says
September 2, 2014 at 19:19Those pictures of Katie make me smile. Love seeing her through the years.
Emmadog says
September 3, 2014 at 05:19Mom had a fun time going back through all the pics and choosing these. One forgets over time how we change.
Lindsay says
September 3, 2014 at 16:16I really enjoyed this post, Emma. Katie seems like such a wonderful dog and I also hope she is around for many years. I loved seeing the puppy photos of her and of you! And that was the first time I’ve seen a pic of your mom’s previous dog Trine. You are all so sweet, even when you are up to some good mischief!
Emmadog says
September 4, 2014 at 05:32We were just at the vet and Katie’s senior panel came back absolutely perfect, so as long as we can battle the arthritis we are good.
Jodi says
September 4, 2014 at 10:31That was a really beautiful post honoring your big sister Emma.
Emmadog says
September 4, 2014 at 15:03I really do love her, she has been so sweet to me all these years.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes says
September 4, 2014 at 23:18What a sweet girl, thank you for sharing her story and her mischief. Your dog Trine was a beautiful girl too, I can see why you miss her so. What a gentle soul.
Emmadog says
September 5, 2014 at 06:10I wish I had known her, but she passed a few years before I was born. Sometimes I get tired of hearing about how wonderful she was, but I know she was truly loved.
snoopys@snoopysdogblog says
September 5, 2014 at 18:13Hey Emma
You had such a great mentor! Katie was such a cute pup! I only go into water up to my belly too, I like to keep my paws on the bottom! 🙂
I hope you’re having a fun day,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Emmadog says
September 6, 2014 at 06:11I like to get all soaked and swim too! We love Katie, she is a great big sister!