Kayla "white fang" banana butt blueberry girl, 2002-2016

Today Kayla crossed the great bridge on more or less her own terms. She was surrounded by loved ones in the end.

Goodbye, fierce heart. Goodbye, kind friend. Now rest in love. 

Shinta, 2004-2015

Happy 14th birthday, Dame Kayla

Happy Birthday to this girl, who turns 14 this weekend. Read her story, if you will, and tell us what we should do for this--probably final-birthday for Dame Kayla.

Twelve years ago, she saved my life from a would-be intruder. Ten years ago, I sat with her in a veterinarian emergency room, praying to the gods and saints and friends that she walk again, that she have some quality of life, that she live to be 10 years old--long enough to pay off her surgeries.

It took nearly a year for her to recover from surgery to fix both of her back legs. From 6-10, she chased squirrels, chewed sticks, and hiked in the Appalachians and the Alps.

At 14, she hobbles on three legs and is on three medications to manage her quality of life, but she still asks for belly rubs and a mini-walk here and there. 

http://kaylaandmom.blogspot.com/?m=1

Kayla, 12.5

2014: Still Swimming! (12 years old)

It's been 8 years since Kayla's surgery. The arthritis is pretty severe now. She still goes for walks, and she enjoys them, but she only rarely chases a squirrel. 


I remain incredibly grateful for her love, her kindness, the breath she brings to my life and the sacrifices she has made as a part of it. She is an amazing dog. She has hiked in three mountain ranges-- The Rockies, the Appalachians, and the Alps, and she STILL loves to swim. 

What I could not rightly anticipate 12 years ago when I brought her home and what I could not 8 years ago as she was wheeled into surgery: that she would be back at the beach of the injury, the beach she loved to swim and where I carried her up the stairs to the car-- and playing with my oldest son, who patiently, kindly, enthusiastically coached her into the water. What else could I not anticipate? That that same kiddo would be recovering from the trauma of the bite from a large dog in June and has been nervous with even our beloved Kayla, that Kayla has been careful but avoidant with kids since her injury in 2006, until their day at the beach? Well, let's just say, this was a beautiful return to my favorite lake. 

Thank you, thank you, I continue to be so grateful to MSU for your good work!

Oh, and, Kayla has begun training the newest member of the family, Kayla's eventual successor, to be sure... Khaleesi "Redwolf" Orange. (Kiddo had a hand in that name.)

Happy Birthday, Kayla!

The more things change... Kayla has enjoyed living in Germany. She especially enjoyed hiking in the Alps and being allowed in restaurants. (Oh, and getting to stay at Opa's!) 

Just a couple months before we prepare to head home, we were invited to a neighborhood dog's birthday party. Tia was turning 14. As it so happened, it was also Kayla's birthday (sometime between the 2nd and the 4th). Kayla turned 11. Who would have believed that 7 years ago? I prayed that her knees would be fixed, and I promised I could let go at 10 or 11. Not so. I want some more years ... ONWARD: to the next mountain range...yes?

Kayla and her "sibs" -- one beside her. One-brand new-- in my arms.

And, if you were curious about Penny, she stays at home most of the time these days. At 17, these frolicks just take too much out of her.

ALPS!!!

Six years after her surgery, here is Kayla, in a meadow, in the ALPS!

along the trail