Today I bid a birthday farewell to my big sister Katie who would have been fourteen today. Sadly, her body gave up and we lost her ten days ago. She was with me since the day I turned nine weeks old, and I miss her so much. I decided to go through all our photos and try to choose a few of my favorites to remind me of our good times and to share with all of you. We have so many it was hard to choose only a few. The above photo was taken by Karin Newstrom back in November 2012.
When I first arrived Katie was not happy, and did not like me, but within a week, I won her over and we were tight from that point on! I trusted her with my life, and knew she would always be there for me. Mom loves how she used to grab me with her front paw and pull me underneath her belly when other dogs would approach. She wanted to make sure the other dogs knew I was her puppy. The Kuvasz breed is, after all, a guard dog.
Katie taught me to share toys and to be gentle with toys. Together we killed and shared this mallard.
I loved the time Katie and I spent on the beach. We took walks on the North Sea beaches in our town almost every day. I loved the water, Katie preferred to just wade, but we hung out together. She got so mad when I would shake off near her, but she forgave me for being a little stinker!
Together we made the journey over the Atlantic to the USA. We were in kennels together in the belly of the airplane, and we were next to each other when thankfully Mom found us again in customs! We discovered squirrels together while we stayed at Gramma’s house those first few months, and when we got our own house with a fenced yard, we really let loose! It was our own version of “The American Dream”.
Although we did miss the beaches and some of our friends, we were content with our new life in America. Together with Mom we always had a lot of fun.
Chase and wrestle was our thing in any weather, at any time. We sure had boatloads of fun together, Katie! In the past year, a few times I came to you with my play bow, but then remembered you could no longer play which was sad. I was happy to just sit with you instead, but we both missed chase and wrestle time.
In our younger years, we hit the dog parks a lot! We had a couple favorites we frequented. You always liked to meet other dogs and play referee, I preferred to hang out with you or Mom. No matter what, we always had fun times at the parks.
You taught me to love cold and snow. No matter how deep it was, we were out in it and having fun. I’ve always loved this shot of the two of us in the snow.
Soccer was your game. You loved to kick the ball around and do some header shots. I could never get into it no matter what you told me. I appreciate that you tried, though. For me the fun was chasing you, while you chased the ball.
We traveled quite a bit for dogs. The vacations in Florida were so fun with the squirrels on top of or next to the pool cage. We enjoyed hanging out together watching them.
My big sister Katie, I miss you, Bailie misses you, Mom misses you, even the cats miss you. Today is hard but we know you don’t want us to be sad. Know we all love you so much and you will be in our hearts forever and one day we will be together again. In honor of your special day, Bailie, Mom, and I will take a walk at a place you loved and reminisce about all the good times we had together. Happy Birthday, Katie!
PS: Thank you so much to everyone for all your kind comments here on the blog and social media, direct messages, emails, and snail mail cards. It means so much to me and my family to know how much Katie was loved and we feel the love you all have for my family. GBGV hugs to everyone for thinking of us during this sad time.
Beautiful tribute with beautiful pictures.
Thank you. I loved my sister and miss her a lot. Thankfully we have the memories.
You chose the PERFECT selection of photos to celebrate Katie’s life. She was beautiful inside and out and taught us all a lot about courage. RIP, sweetie.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
It was hard to choose with over 1000 photos, but I found some I really liked and it was fun to go over all of them and remember all the good times.
Lovely tribute and story of your life journey with Katie.
Thank you. She was the best big sister a pup could ask for.
…. as we saw you together with the duck the tears came like the great flood… but tears for a friend are always ok… right? Happy Birthday to your sister… and a big hug to the other side of that rainbow bridge…
That would be the teary eyed photo for you as it is one you could relate to with your destuffing projects. She was truly a wonderful big sister.
Happy Birthday, Katie! I hope you are celebrating your day at the Rainbow Bridge. Each picture and each word was a beautiful, poignant memory of Katie and how much she is missed. Much love to all of you from all of us in Titusville, FL. XOXO Sparkle
Thank you. This day is tough, but it is the last of the really hard days for a while. We miss her so much.
Beautiful birthday Tribute. Just remember Katie will always be there in spirit and in you heart.
She leaves us signs all the time with her fur in places, Mom finds a ToeGrip just lying on the curb when we are out walking, all signs she is still with us.
Happy birthday Katie. I know your family misses you.
We had so hoped to celebrate with her one last time, but it wasn’t meant to be.
What a beautiful tribute. I have tears in my eyes…such beautiful photos of wonderful memories. A celebrated happy life! Happy Birthday to Katie. I bet there’s a big party at the Rainbow Bridge! My Gibson is there now and I am thinking of he and all the wonderful furangel a greeting and playing with Katie! I am so very sorry for your loss…big hugs to you all…they sure do take a big piece of our hearts with them. <3
Today is real tough as we had such high hopes of celebrating with her today, but she couldn’t hang on ten more days. She loved friends, so I’m sure she is playing with Gibson and having a great time at the Rainbow Bridge.
Love your beautiful tribute to Katie, especially the photos. She’s not gone, just gone ahead.
Thank you. As you know it is just hard to adjust to life without a family member. We will all be together again.
We know you miss Katie greatly and we feel your pain. She was a great friend, a beautiful girl and the best big sis! Happy Birthday Katie! Sending lots of hugs your way.
We know you have had more than your share of pain as well. It is just hard, but we know with time, it will get better.
That was beautiful. All those wonderful memories to hold tight to.
We are really holding them all tight right now. Going through photos is such a nice thing to be able to do.
What a beautiful tribute. So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and hugs for you and your family.
Thank you. We loved her so much and miss her like crazy.
What a beautiful tribute to your big sister, Emma. That last picture and the quote really got me. Happy Birthday in Heaven, sweet girl.
Thank you. She is definitely missing so much in our lives right now.
Bet you miss sissy. A beautiful tribute
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
We do. It is like a paw of my own went missing. Very tough.
OH MY…. what a Beautiful and HEARTFELT tribute to her.
Thank you. She was my best friend, sister, protector, I just loved her so much and we all miss her so much.
Great tribute to Katie…she is now making friends with all the others who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is now free from her illness and able to run and play. I hope she finds my goldens, Jackson, Tucker and Sonny cause they were so much fun and loved to play ball and chase wabbitts.
Katie was always a social girl and loved to make new friends. I’m sure she is busy meeting everyone and racing around having fun, but we miss having fun with her here.
Losing someone you love is always hard. My heart goes out to you all.
Thank you. It is difficult.
I’m here to pay my respects to Katie. *bows head* What a great tribute. I know you really loved your big sisfur but now you have to be the big sisfur. I’m sure Katie is once again chasing a soccer ball and will be waiting for you.
We know we will be together again, but we all miss her terribly. Even though lately she didn’t do much, we still miss seeing her smiling face.
What a beautiful tribute to Katie. Happy Birthday up in heaven beautiful Katie girl!
Thank you. We miss her so much.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful sister.
Thank you, the past couple weeks have been tough and quite wet from Mom’s leaky eyes.
we know Katie is celebrating over the Bridge….hopefully with a good game of chase. we are sorry she is gone….
Cat bro Bert missing having a fluffy tail to play in too. It is just sad, but life continues.
What a wonderful tribute to Katie’s life! We loved those photos, especially the one of you & Katie looking at each other, and Katie was smiling.
Beautiful.
Huge hugs and healing purrs to you all ….
Thank you. We just enjoyed being together no matter what we were doing. I knew she would guard me no matter what, and she knew I loved her.
Sending big hugs. It’s so hard to lose a friend, we just lost Whitley, so we know how you feel.
We know, that is another super sad loss. They are all so sad, but we have to go on and try to get our happiness back.
Such beautiful memories of Katie and you together. It’s sad it came time for her to leave but she will always be in your heart – and your mom’s.
We still expect her to show up at some point, but we are slowing losing hope. It’s hard to change everything to just two of us now.
That was such a loving tribute to your soul sister. Happy Birthday Angel Katie.
Thank you kitties. She was even really nice to cats.
just beautiful. i love the pictures. what wonderful memories. i know Katie will be forever in your heart and mind every second of every day…she will never be forgotten.
She will be for sure, but this time of letting go is so hard.
That was a beautiful tribute to Katie. She was such a gorgeous girl and she sounds like a wonderful big sister. Comforting purrs and paws of sympathy to those she left behind. Happy Birthday Angel Katie.
Thank you. Even in her last months where she was no longer the beauty she once was, people still commented on how lovely she was. A really fine lady dog.
What a beautiful tribute with absolutely stunning pictures and memories! We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved furry family member! Hugs both human & dog!
Thank you. We know loss is a part of life, but one is never really ready for it.
Emma, I have big leaky eyes and so does Mom L. I have been absent in most my pals’ comments for some time. Life to over Mom L’s time. We are both sobbing for the loss of precious Katie. Kuvasz are such a special breed. Your remembrances of Katie are so poignant, thank you for sharing your most precious moments with her. paw pats and purrs, Savannah and Mom Linda
Thank you so much. Commenting and reading blogs all the time is a tall order. We too have our times where we just take a break. We miss Katie so much, especially today as we had such high hopes to celebrate with her today.
We’re still on the road and I had planned to catch up and comment on your blogs when I get home but I have to send my love to y’all today. The first holidays without our loved ones are always the most difficult. Huggles and kisses! P.S. Ignore the pic of me and the female Basset. You still have my heart! ??
Sorry I couldn’t be there in the fur this year, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m not worried, I know you are a loyal guy, Bentley π Today is pretty hard as we were so certain we would be celebrating today. None of us guessed things would change so quickly, but they did. Thank you for thinking of us. Safe travels.
Oh, I’m so so sorry, Emma… what a beautiful tribute to your big sis. Your photos are so special and the memories you’ve shared have touched our hearts. We’re sending purrs and hugs to all of you.
xo,
Glogirly, Katie & Waffles
Thank you. It is a tough time and her birthday is especially sad, but we will continue to move on as she would want us to do.
Happy Birthday to Katie at the bridge. I just know she is looking down and enjoying all of those wonderful memories along with you, Emma. We know how very, very much you all miss her; hold those precious memories close.
We have done lots of talking about the memories and good times. It is a tough day, but we have to keep moving on. Katie wouldn’t want us to stop our lives for her as she wasn’t that kind of dog.
Oh my I am crying again. These photos are superb. I so wish you would have these made into a picture book about the story of Katie and Emma. They are delightful and touching photos. So beautiful. It’s strange, Dakota didn’t bark when I was watching the video, maybe because he knew it was full of love? Please write that book, these photos would be just incredible in it. ((((hugs))))) Happy Birthday Sweet and Kind and Protective Katie, we miss you. xoxoxoxo
Join the tears club. We love looking through all the photos and thinking about all the good times, but we need wipers on our leaky eyes. Revisiting the past helps us heal. I don’t know about another book. The writing part is easy, but the marketing is so hard. We will see and say maybe.
Those are gorgeous photos of you and Katie! <3
Thank you. She was a beautiful girl.
those memories are so special and something you will have always
There are so many special times etched into our minds and we are thankful for that.
Such a sweet memorial. What a beauty Katie was and such a good big sister. Now you have to do the same for that crazy Bailie!
I don’t think I will ever be as good of a big sister. My mom says my ego is too big. I do love my little sis, though.
I am so sorry for your loss
Thank you. It is a difficult time.
The tears started watching you and Katie play in the snow. What a special bond you two shared. I’m sorry that your are missing your sister so much but she is in a better place right now. I wish that Dolly and Taffy could form a bond like yours and Katie’s but it’s not going to happen.
Our bond was special. Bailie and I don’t have the same bond either, but I’m happy to have shared so much of my life with Katie.
What a beautiful tribute! We’re sending soft, healing purrs and prayers to you. Our woofie Angel Katie went to the Bridge one month before her 16th Birthday. Mom says she knows how you feel right now.
The Florida Furkids
Thank you. So sorry about your Katie. It doesn’t matter when or how old, it is never a good time, but we have to accept it as it comes.
What a wonderful tribute to your sister. She sure was a special girl.
Millie & Walter
She was such a sweet, kind, and gentle soul, but she had her mean side if she felt danger. We sure miss her.
I knew this would be a tough one. What a great tribute indeed Emma, these pics convey so much, what fantastic memories. Your body language shows your closeness, those moments between sisters. I bet you taught her to be more gentle, because she probably could’ve laid you out easily, haha. I bet she was laughing so hard when she watched your barn hunt! And I’m certain she’s wishing she could eat one of your birthday cakes one last time. Happy 14th Katie, say hi to Ashe-Li, and Char-Let for me.
Thank you. Katie could be frightening if she was in guard dog mode, but she would never ever have harmed any family member including our kitties. She was a wonderful big sister and I will always cherish all the time I had with her.
What a lovely and heartfelt tribute to your very special sister.
Hugs,
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Thank you. It’s hard to narrow down over nine years into a few words and photos, but I did my best. She was a wonderful girl.
what a wonderful tribute to your beautiful big sister. sending lots of love to you and your family.
xoxo
Thank you. We are still so sad and miss her all the time.
Gentle nose nudges Emma & Emma’s mom.
Thank you for sharing these pawsome photo’s with us. They are beautiful & full of love.
It’s difficult to say good bye to those we love but they never leave us. They live on in our hearts & memories. You shared the greatest gift, love.
Be gentle with yourself,
CEO Olivia
We miss her so much. Katie is always with us. We feel her and see signs from her all the time. Mom tears up a lot still, but we know with time it will get a bit easier.
What an awesome tribute. You picked just the right photos. You guys shared a lot of good moments together xoxo
We had 9 1/2 years together with so many experiences. It was wonderful, and we all miss her.
Such a beautiful tribute and beautiful photos of you two. The photos really capture the beautiful relationship you had with one another.
Thank you. We really were close and I miss her.
I understand how you all feel. Callie’s last birthday – back in April – was tough on us, too. But like Katie, Callie would not want us to not get on with our lives. Happy Birthday Katie!
The first one of everything is the hardest. We celebrated her day and shed many tears.
Your tribute to Katie was beautiful, Emma. And so loving it brought tears to my eyes when I read it – both times. And the photos are absolutely lovely. As time goes by you’ll be able to look at them with smiles in your hearts. Even now, 10 months after Callie got her wings, I still choke up, but I smile at the memories too. Peace, Love, and Hugs to you all. And puppy love from Shadow and Ducky.
Mom lost Trine almost 13 years ago and still tears up on occasion. Callie hasn’t been gone all that long, it is normal to still tear up. We know our tears will turn to smiles, but it will be a slow process. Mom has us to help her get through it. Bailie and I are handling it pretty well.
Such a lovely tribute about Katie with some very smile-worthy photos. Here’s hoping those tender sweet memories give you the comfort to get through the sadness of losing your big sister. Sam and I send our heartfelt thoughts to you and the family. α¦
There are still more tears than smiles with the memories, but we know time will help us have more smiles.
THAT was beautiful Emma. I loved looking at the pictures and hearing the stories. As I scrolled through I thought, isn’t it wonderful that we have photos we can look at? So many times we forget some of the little things that are captured by photography.
I’m glad you have them to help you remember such a special girl.
Going through photos the past two weeks has reminded us of so many good times and being a blogger taking an extreme amount of photos the past four years or so has really been nice. It’s just weird not having Katie with us, we feel so alone.
Sending puppy love and kisses your way Emma, Mom, and Bailie *hugs*
Thank you.