Who's the prettiest bloom in the garden? Why, Katie the Airedale, of course! Katie is the Canine Companion and "spoiled housedale" of Christie & Denys. Writes Christie: "Katie is 14 months old and full of typical Airedale personality and naughtiness, when she can get away with it."
"Where's that squirrel? He was here just a minute ago! I can still smell him. If I could just get my nails in those crevices - where's my rapelling equipment?"
Katie, like Dolly Gade and Dudley Widmar, has the "constantly amazed" look created by those stand-up ears. And I'm sure she can hear the squirrel up in that tree.
"Well, I suppose a burger in the hand is better than a squirrel in the tree. But hold the pickles, please."
(You could save the pickles for Misha; she'd eat them - and the paper wrappings, too!)
Katie "loves pulling Mom around the block on walkies, going in the car for ice cream, and playing in the park with her best friend, Esob, the 160-pound Mastiff who took obedience lessons with her."
"I'm gonna get those ribs!"
Katie has definitely earned her CDX - Counter Surfer Excellent.
Here are Christie and Katie, "The small child dressed as an Airedale."
"Whatcha lookin' for, Mom?"
"Just want to see if our Cyberfriends are coming over for a visit, Katie."
"Will they bring their Airedales, too? Huh, Mom?"
"But of course, Katie. They're YOUR Cyberpals, too!"
"C'm on, Mom - gimme a kiss! Betcha the 'puter can't give you slurpies! Play with me, Mom!"
Katie gives Christie a Christmas Kiss.
February 1999 - "Katie in doggie jail while Mom cleans the kitchen floor!"
On 14 December 2005 comes this news from Christie:
It's a mass in her liver. It's an autoimmune thing, which you may remember I've suspected she had problems with forever, due to all her skin things, etc. The vet told Denys that she hasn't had to give Katie blood yet and may not have to - may be frozen plasma.
IMHA and ITP counts, levels, whatever, are off and that's what caused her problems today. We will have to take her to the one vet here in town who has ultrasound in the morning. She said if it's only one lobe of the liver that's affected it can be removed and she will (may?) be fine. I'm inconsolable as well as totally confused.
And the next morning:
Denys called me after he dropped Katie off at our vet. The owner was the one who looked at Katie and at the fax from the emergency clinic. He said he could feel the mass in/on her liver and that wasn't a good sign, also that she is not a good candidate for surgery because of her blood counts. I'm going up there in a few minutes. My gut instinct right now is to not put her through any more than the horrible day she had yesterday.
Three hours later:
Katie is gone. I was with her and held her, and her favorite vet cried right along with me.
From Lori Taylor:
Please convey my deepest sympathy to Christie & Denys. My heart is aching for them. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers as they go through this most difficult time.
God Speed, Katie! And God bless Christie & Denys with His comfort and strength.
From Maureen Scott:
A candle is lit for Katie. I'm so very sorry for Katiešs family. A sudden passage of this nature always seems so unfair. Hardly time to say goodbye . . . . Please pass my message on to them with my deepest condolences.
From Tracy Davis, Christie's sister:
As Katie Hansen's human "Aunty", I can vouch for what a great dog she was, and what a loving friend and confidant for my sister, Christie. With those "up" ears, she always greeted me with a look that said, "What the?!?! Oh, yay, you're here!! C'mon in and I'll show you where the squirrel was last! Better hurry!!"
I'm sure she's bouncing around at the Rainbow Bridge now, with Misty, Ginger, Avalon, Hannah, Brody, and all the other Airedales and honorary Airedales from our family and yours.
Tracy & Rider the English Setter
From Jackie McGuinness:
I'm thinking of Christie & Denys at this sad time and I'm sure Katie will be romping through that great field in the sky meeting all the Airedales and Karl [Mattuchio] the Rottie that have recently crossed The Bridge.
It is a very hard thing to do but time softens the memory of the task and you will smile when you think of her and remember how she used to chase a squirrel or snitch a piece of your burger.
MEET BELLA HANSEN HERE
KATIE
HANSEN (@RB)
KATIE KOUNTERSURFER
