I want to give everyone a long overdue thank you today for all the care you have shown my family with the loss of my big sister Katie on June 17th. My mom has a very hard time looking at anything having to do with Katie, therefore, helping me with a thank you post has been too hard for her. It took us several weeks, but we did finally get a page and sidebar widget made for Katie. We don’t remember who suggested making Mom’s post into a page, but thank you. We have now gotten that done.
Bailie and I are doing well, it is Mom who is having the hardest time with losing Katie. We have a place in the kitchen where we keep all the things we have left. One day, when Mom’s tears turn more to smiles, she will make something out of Katie’s things. We have the last collar she was wearing, a ceramic paw print, a clipping of her furs, and the last toegrips she had on. I admit, I do like to sniff her collar.
Thank you to those friends who sent us cards. They mean a lot to us. We also thank those of you who sent e-cards, emails, and who left us messages on social media. There were simply too many to respond to. Katie was truly loved which warms our hearts.
Dr. Buzby, from Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips, sent us a beautiful flower bouquet on Katie’s birthday. It was so pretty, cheerful, and such a thoughtful thing to do! That birthday was so hard for us all, but the flowers added some cheer.
Gramma gave us this wonderful book, Paw Prints in the Stars. Mom has only been able to read through it once so far. One day she will be able to read it more often and add photos of Katie to it. It really is a nice gift with wonderful words for someone who has lost a furry family member.
Our friends over at Sand Springs Chesapeakes sent us some of their homemade Norman’s Kisses Hand To Paw Cream, and Norman’s Kisses Lip Balm. I love to smell it! Thank you so much!
We have received so much support, it has been wonderful and very appreciated. I love you all so much! My GBGV Life is a happy place, but even in happy places there are sad times. Slowly, we are learning to navigate our lives without Katie. Mom even cleaned under the fridge and range the other day. There was so much white fur, but there will be no more. We love you Katie and you will never be forgotten.
I remember it was those quiet days that seemed to last so long after Leo was gone. I’m not sure when it occurred – but gradually, I could enter a room, pick up an item or travel past “somewhere” that held a memory of Leo without falling apart. Over time I was able to find comfort in this constant reminders, and I believe with all my heart and soul one day your Mom will too. Be patient Emma, don’t rush her. Just love her with all your heart.
Mom lost her Trine before and knows it is a tough road, but it will get better. It is still pretty fresh, but we are all moving forward as Katie would want us to.
It takes many months for the tears to turn to smiles but Katie will always have a special place in all of your hearts. Someone once said to me just think she is in another room and one day you will see her again.
That is a creative way to think about it. It is slightly better already, but still lots of tears.
Oh Emma and family…we are so very sorry about Katie. We only just met you during the pawlymics, What a beautiful lady and such gentle soul she had. Sending hugs and purrs to you all
Madi and Mom
Thank you. It has been a tough time, but together we will get through it and one day smile more than cry. Everyone has been so wonderful.
The quote “If love could have saved Katie, she would have lived forever” is so very true. The mom thinks of her dear Panda every time she sees that quote, and sometimes her eyes will still leak when she thinks about her ‘little man.’ Give your mom lots of kisses and love. XOXO, Sparkle
We wish that quote were true! It is a long road to healing, but having Katie for all those years is well worth all the heartache now. As your mom knows, we furry ones really get into human hearts.
We know how your momma feels – it are really tuff. Sending big hugs.
We still think of and miss Whitely. Your mom knows exactly what we are going through. You will never replace a furry one lost, but you will carve out your own spot in your mom’s heart, and help her heal from the heartache she is going through.
it is such a bumpy road we have to walk after losing a furfriend … it’s like missing a part of ourselves :o( Hugs to you all, the katie-forever site is a wonderful tribute to your sister…
I wish you could come over and rip the stuffings out of the heartache, but Mom says that is not possible.
I recently read a book that likened the heart to a lizard (hold on, this is good) and when the heart breaks it repairs itself like a lizard’s tail. Though it never returns to how it was before the heartbreak, the heart regenerates and is strong again. I like this idea. It has now been long enough that I’m able to look at photos of Jeffie and my little memorial to him and feel joyful remembering the happy times and love. Sending lots of hugs your way.
You are right! That is what it is like, but the lizard is creepy. Katie lost a claw once. It came back, but it was never like the original. Same thing. We will get to the point you are at. The heart has to pass through all the phases along the way. Hugs to you and we always think about Jeffie too.
Every person is different and there I no time limit on grieving or when sadness turns smiles at remembering all the good times. All our furbabies are so special – each one for different reasons and different ways and we love them forever – even when they are no longer with us
This is true. It will take a long time after spending so many years with Katie, but it will happen. We try to keep forging ahead reminiscing about the fun times we had, and one day it will happen without tears.
What a beautiful photo of Katie. We can really empathize with your loss. We feel the absence of our Maggie everyday.
We do totally understand and send you all our love and hugs.
Thank you. I know you all understand. It is not an easy thing to get through.
It’s the hardest thing ever. She will probably start called my you Katie cause mom calls me Benny after we lost him. Hang in, sending lots of hugs your way
Lily & Edward
In the beginning she did call us each Katie several times, but that is only randomly now. I get more mad when she calls me Bailie!
Such a hard time. Hugs to all you guys.
Thank you. It is our own personal struggle to muddle through and we are working on it. One day we will feel much better about it.
Anyone who has ever deeply loved and then lost a beloved pet completely understands the pain you’ve been going through. I love that you turned your blog post for Katie into a page…I think I just might do that with Truffles’ farewell post too.
I wish I could remember who suggested the idea to us, but Mom can’t go through all the comments as it makes her too sad right now. It is a great way to keep Katie front and center even though she is gone.
Oh, Emma, now I have to wipe away my own tears. My heart goes out to your mom for I feel her pain. It took me a long time to be able to smile again after Callie got her angel wings. (And here we are just two days away from the first anniversary of that awful-for-us morning.) The day will come for your mom, too. I know you and Bailie are right there for her, supporting her all the way, just as Shadow and Ducky have been for me. And all of us here in Blogville are a great group of folks and pets who “get it”. It’s wonderful having an extended family who stand by us through the sad times as well as the happy ones! My love to all of you….
Those firsts are the killers, and we are sad you are coming up on the first anniversary. Blogville is a wonderful place and we so appreciate the kindness of everyone! Hugs to you as the next difficult first comes and goes.
PS. Katie’s page is a beautiful tribute to her, Emma, as is the badge.
Thank you. We need to have her there. Even though she had a pretty small role on the blog, she was a part of it and everyone loved her.
It is nice that you have such sweet keepsakes of Katie. Sniffing her collar is a warm way to remember her. I’m happy your mom is gradually recovering from this loss. It is good to keep reminding her that eventually there WILL be more smiles than tears in remembering. xo
Mom tries to sniff the collar too, but she can’t smell like I can. Sadness will reign for a long time, but eventually it will dissipate and the memories will make us all smile.
we certainly understand….it took mom a while to make changes to our blog after we lost Tim this spring. there is just something about those changes that just make it a little too real….
That is exactly the problem, but slowly we start changing our lives and our blogs and get through it.
Oh, these are hard days. It’s so hard seeing their things and wishing they could be there again. I’m glad your mom has you two sweet girls to help her through this hardest of times. Those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! What a thoughtful thing for them to do. That book looks really neat too. Great idea to give Katie her own page. Like you said – she’ll never be forgotten. She’ll always be with you in your hearts.
Mom is finally getting used to her not being here, except when we come home from school at night. She always expects to see Katie waiting in the window but she is not there.
This brought tears to us as well; we know how much your Mom misses Katie every day. I’m glad it has helped all of you to have so many friends that care about you; that is what has helped us so much through our losses too. It’s good that you girls are strong for your Mom too and she doesn’t have to worry so much about you. I remember when we lost our Lab mix Maggie and Kobi was devastated; it made it that much harder for us to see him grieving as well.
Adding Katie’s page and having her in your sidebar is a beautiful tribute to her. ♥
Everyone has to go through it, but it really helps to know you are not all alone.
I know how hard it is for your mom! My sister’s senior Pug passed away on Saturday and it is heartbreaking. I am glad that so many people showed how much they cared about Katie! She was so well loved and that bond never breaks.
I’m sorry for your sister. It is truly like losing a human family member. Hugs to you and her family.
It’s really hard losing a beloved member of the family! It’s been nearly seven years since Chloe passed away and I still have days where I can’t talk about her.
(((Hugs to your mom)))
Mom still has tears for Trine who passed away in 2003. There will always be tears, but there will be more smiles.
(((hugs))) to you. All of you and Katie are always in our hearts
Thank you.
Oh Joy, I’m so very sorry to hear of Katie’s passing. I just found out today, my heart is breaking for you. You know everyone’s thought and prayer’s are with you & your family over the loss of precious Katie. Paw prints forever on your hearts. Wishing you Peace and Healing. )- :
Katie being really ill was the reason we cancelled BlogPaws at the last minute, but she passed the week before. We were still far to devastated to travel, so we stayed home. It has been a tough summer, but we are getting through it together.
My heart hurts for you three ladies. Katie was truly one of a kind – and so brave too. Just think how hard it must have been to leave her homeland and come to America!
Several years ago my sweet Jolie Amie and I were visiting patients in Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio. One older gentleman said hello to Jolie and then told me, “I have loved dogs all my life. When one dies I cry my eyes out and then get another. My life is not complete without a dog.” Recently Jolie passed and I think of him often.
That is so true. No matter how much heartbreak Mom has, she would never want to be without a dog. The joy and contributions to her life far outweigh the huge sadness of passing.
My heart is hurting for you, I know the pain you’re feeling.
Thank you. It’s a long process, but we will get through it together.
Lady Shasta here – Your sister Katie wuz a furry much purty doggy. You know Emma, u an’Bailie now haf a furry much impawtent role – we siblings who r left b-hind when our sisterz an’brutherz b-come angelz – it iz up tue us tue help our momz (an’dadz sumtimez) git thru theze difficult timez. We r there in the dark timez when no one else iz around. We r there when our mom needz a cuddle or tussle. An’it lookz like u an’Bailie r duin’a furry much great job. My mom iz still havin’a ruff time since my bruther Shiloh b-came an angel bak in March of this year – it iz just me an’mom here – I due whatever I can butt my mom can c I iz still havin’a bit of a ruff time tue like not wantin’tue b in the bakyard by myself. She sez she iz gonna bring home a new sister fer me butt that will b a while yet. May-b my mom can pick up sum tipz frum u here on your blog – just when she readz’bout how your mom interactz with u an’Bailie.
Lady Shasta of Beaglebratz Manor
Mom Kim here – that page your mom did for Katie is beautiful. I could “see” my Angel Shiloh a few times like when my little Angel Oreo who was 11 when Shiloh joined the furmily as a 8 week old puppy was so patient and kind with the little furball Shiloh as he nipped and tugged on his ears then Shiloh learned it so well he was able to use it when Lady Shasta came along also at 8 weeks and Shiloh was 3. Now I think it is only fair that she have the opportunity to pass on all those things that have been passed down to her.
I also have a page for Angel Shiloh – a few years after I started my blog, both dogs were given their own page however right now, his is more pictures. I love the truly heartfelt letter that your mom wrote to Katie.
It is such a difficult time when one of our furry 4-legged companions leave us – it does get better, soon there are more smiles than tears and sad hearts when thinking of the one who has left. Hugs to all of you.
Thank you. Losing a dog in March is still a really fresh loss. Mom knows it gets a little bit easier each day, but it will be a very long time before the tears really start to dry up. Spending so many years together with us dogs, day in, day out, caring for us, hanging out with us, and then to just be gone is hard. Another dog will never be a replacement, as they will have a different portion of Mom’s heart. My mom can’t imagine waking up and not having even one dog, so she is very happy to have the two of us.
Hugs to you all! A very difficult post to write and it was done with some really beautiful photos to remember Katie by. It’s going to take a long time before all that white hair is gone from the house, I bet you find more and more of it. She is with you forever. Many hugs.
We hope to keep finding white fur for a very long time. Katie left us so many memories, but also a lot of fur.
Katie page is beautiful just like she was. It is always so difficult to say good-bye to a loved one but I know that she is still around watching over you and the girls. I have seen signs of my Tucker checking up on me. ♥ Y’all are in my heart always.
Thank you. It is so hard and we always feel like we are missing something, but there is nothing that can be done. We have our memories and that is important.
It’s never easy to lose a member of the family, hopefully all the tender memories of your special fur-iend will provide you with comfort for the future remembrances. P.S. Especially love that last photo. So touching, so sweet. ?
We have that photo in a frame on the wall. Mom has always loved it.
Goodness there is no need to thank us, we all have pets so we understand more than anyone. But mom feels guilty that she didn’t do more than leave a comment, what wonderful people that sent the cards and gifts. Love Dolly Pees: We hope that as time passes it will get easier for you, we are so sorry to learn that you are missing Katie so much.
No need to feel sorry. We didn’t expect anything, especially since Katie wasn’t a main figure on the blog, but it was pretty amazing. When you spend all day every day for almost 14 years with someone, especially a pet who needs you all the time, Mom says it is very hard to let go. It gets easier as time passes, but it will take a long time for Mom to not have tears flowing.
I wish there was something I could say that would ease your pain. It’s tough to lose such a special member of the family.
Time is really the only thing that will ease the pain. It is a bit better, but the loss is still so fresh.
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your precious Katie. A dog fills our heart with so much unconditional love and joy. She will be missed, forevermore a precious memory in your heart.
Thank you. It’s pretty tough on Mom, but we are helping her get through it.
I love that you were able to make Mom’s post into a page for Katie. Who knows, maybe when the smiles come more frequently Mom can add some Katie stories to that page. It will be a special and lovely place to visit when you are missing her.
I’m sure it is still evolving, but at least that first and hardest step has been taken.