SAMANTHA'S GOLDEN COMET

SAMANTHA'S GOLDEN COMET

APRIL 76 - JANUARY 91

A worn leather collar, a small yellow ball
lie on my desk.
I reach out and touch them -
tears flow from my eyes.

My darling Samantha
you gave me a lifetime of love and happiness
in what seems but a fleeting moment in time.

You captivated a myriad of hearts Madam Ambassador
and always the lady.

Your eyes, with their deep serenity,
reflected your compassion and trust -
incredibly patient and forgiving.

I proudly look at all of your obedience ribbons -
you were a class act.
Tracking was your forte which you excelled in and loved.
We shared many wonderful hours in the fields -
our special time together.

I miss you Samantha.
The house is profoundly quiet without your presence,
so many taken-for-granted habits have changed.

Candi feels her loss in a legion of ways.
I sense her fear and pain and reach out to her.
she quiets as my arm steadies her shoulder.
Candi will proudly carry on your legacy in time.

You have coe home dear Samantha.
I will always feel a closeness -
no one can take your place.

Now at peace, your pain is gone.
At last you can rest serenely
on your very own twinkling star
which you richly deserve.

Looking into the night, I search the heavens,
knowing you are there.
In time, the good Lord, in his infinite wisdom,
will bring us together again.

Until then my precious Samantha,
know that my love endures.

You enriched my life.
You gave more than you took.
You taught me so much.

Sleep on in peace dear, loyal, and trusting friend

Katie c:2/91

ASTRO

ASTRO

As though carved from granite
He stands in his stately silence.
The canine Cour de Leon!
Unsurpassed in intelligence,
Noblesse oblige determines his valor.
His greatness exemplified
Not only in mind, but in body.
Guardian to truth and loyalty
Undaunted!
An eminent perception
Of gentleness and compassion
Gracefully forgiving.

Katie- c '79

CREATION ACCORDING TO A DOG

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the rest of the animals on earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that a dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy...and Man forever in debt.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but HE had to walk the dog.

POEM - ASTRO

ASTRO

There is a stillness, an emptiness
Yet a feeling of presence
The girls mourn your passing as we do.
You are one of God's creatures
Quickly called home to your very own star
So you would not have to endure suffering and pain.
There you will remain for a millennium
Twinkling in the galaxy for all of us to see.
We away your return
Our bonds strengthen through death.
I believe it is God's way.
The true meaning of rebirth.
Just as Spring assures us of the continuing evolution
Through nature's rejoicing of the dawn of a new day.
You enriched our lives
Touching so many with your love and gentleness
Life must go on
One day we will all be together
And at peace with ourselves.
Shine brightly, dear Astro
While you sleep peacefully and re energize
We love you so and await your return.
Katie c:3/83

A Break for Dakoa

The bitter temps and snow have been especially hard on our canines. I am so glad that I got Dakota booties before the sub-zero temps hit. WE got into a routine of getting them on quickly and putting the coat on so as to make it pleasent and fun for him. Who am I kidding? He wasn't thrilled but he was patient and did accept all of the dressing and undressing.

Today the temps moderated enough so that he could go out without any booties or coat. To his delight it has been snowing lightly. That was THE perfect combination for Dakota. When I went to open the door for him, he hesitated and looked up at me as if to say --"You're really going to let me out without all of that other stuff?" He started out the door and then saw the snow coming down. He was in his glory. He dashed across the deck with Boo Boo Bear on into the snow in the yard. He immediately dropped down to roll and roll and roll. Not only one, not only twice, but three times before he even thought about stopping. Then he stood up and shook all of the snow off, looked up at me with the biggest smile I've ever seen, wagged his tail, whipped around, grabbed his bear and off he went looking for the rabbit. Finally he came in and waited for his treat. But it wasn't long before he wanted out again. So far we've been through this routine for three rounds. He's had a wonderful day. I'm so glad for the break. We are heading down to the minus side again and we'll have to get the booties and coat out again. But it shouldn't be a long spell this time.

He is such a joy to watch outside. You can see he's catching up on all he missed for those 10 years and I don't think the well will ever be filled but he's sure working at it.

TOYS ARE US BIG TIME

One of the most poignant events with Dakota is his reaction to toys and bones. For the first ten years of his life, he didn't know that dogs get toys and bones for their daily enjoyment. I cannot imagine a dog not being able to have at least a bone to chew on but Dakota had never had either. The first thing I did was give him a bone that I had waiting for him when he came. Shortly after that I got him his first soft toy - a teddy bear. He didn't know what to do with the bear and was hesitant to even touch it. But the bone became an instant delight. We are almost three years down the line now and he now has his very own stash of toys from Christmases and birthdays and just plain mom's weaknesses. His most favorite of all is a white teddy bear I gave him from my own collection. I don't know why except that he realized it was mine when I gave it to him one day in my office. He watched me reach up to one of my shelves of stuffed animals and pulled down the white bear. He looked at me, I smiled, and he gently took the leg of the bear into his mouth and off he went. While he takes various other stuffed animals outside with him, Boo Boo Bear is never far away. We have to make plans ahead of time to retrieve the bear for the washing machine. Here are some of his favorites.....bones not included.































This is only the collection of his most favorite. They are kept in "his box" and available at all times. He is so much fun to watch when he selects the "toy of the hour." Sometimes, in the morning, as I head up to my office, Dakota stops dead in his tracks. You can tell he's thinking. All of a sudden he wheels around and trots back to the kitchen or family room, grabs his bear and runs back to continue following me up the stairs.

When he takes his animals outside, he loves to toss them around and pounce on them. I think he's found a lost part of his youth and is enjoying it to the hilt. Every day brings many smiles to my face and sometimes tears of joy that I've been able to introduce Dakota to some more happiness.

FURTHER ADVENTURES

It has been a busy fall and winter and now we're beginning a new year. My blog has suffered through much. Computer problems, holidays, book writing, and a myriad of other inconveniences.

Dakota has been dealing with new experiences. His life in Iowa did not subject him to sub-zero temps like we've had in MN. It is quite a challenge for him at his advanced age. But I found him quite up to it. How he loves the snow. I think he thinks he found utopia. If I let him, he'd be out rolling and playing in it all day. The cold has not bothered him until we got down into the single digits and below zero temps. He simply could not handle it with his rear legs. He became "paralyzed" and could not walk or get back to the house. He is a big dog and my husband struggled to lift him enough to get him into the house. I had his coat on him at the time but it just wasn't enough. He was in desperate need of foot protection. Luckily I found a place in Duluth, MN that makes the booties for the sled dogs of the country. I immediately ordered him four booties. They are wonderfully easy to put on and take off. They were also so flexible and comfortable for him. How he loves them. When it turns cold, he will not go out until I put them on. He is able to move around the yard at his own pace and, the best part, he is able to continue rolling and playing in the snow.

He loved his Christmas toys. For a dog that never had toys or bones, it's taken him a couple of years to get into this Christmas thing. But he's enthusiastic about it and hauls his stash around. Still, his white teddy bear remains his favorite. My thought is that it seems to always be there and available. His toys are kept in "his box" and I don't think he thinks about that much of the time. So he grabs what's visible and it's usually his bear. He does love his bones too. They provide enjoyable minutes after a meal or during the evening when he's bored with us and TV.

Dakota remains healthy and quite active for a dog that is almost 13. Soon he will have his teeth cleaned, a small tumor removed from his eyelid, and a little growth on his nose that is starting to interfere with his handsome profile.