Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Goodbye to Katie the whippet

We had to say goodbye to our special little girl today. My wife fostered her at about 8 months old and she was such a fearful dog and attached to her she couldn't give her up. That was 12+ years ago. Katie turned 13 earlier this year. Katie was not being kept right by her breeder and was never socialized, to people or the world, before we got her. She was afraid of airplanes overhead, would hear a police copter and start shaking and looking for the noise (wife lived in a city then), would be terrified of a truck or bus on a walk. Eventually, with a lot of hard work on my wife's part, Katie participated in a full life, lure coursing, agility (she loved tunnels) and even a turn at obedience. She was happy when my wife moved here for work, as there are no police helicopter flying over the house multiple times a day, we live near the end of the road so little traffic, and she had a nice big yard to play with her "brothers" in.

In December or so her blood work showed some kidney issues. Got a script for stuff to help. Wife knew it wouldn't be a whole lot longer though, and had considered a trip alone with Katie just to spend time with her special girl, who was the epitome of a velcro dog when it came to my wife. a couple of weeks ago, maybe 10 days (?) Katie started downhill fast. She's had cataracts for a little bit, now she started losing her sight completely, first in the right eye, then the left got worse. Then her hearing loss started, first high tones, then most everything except loud and low pitched noises. Then she started seeming "lost" in the house, slowly spinning while appearing to search for something. She's always been the fussiest of eaters of our crew, then she started to want to eat in the middle of the night before being able to get back to sleep. She started to lose her balance on occasion also.

We took her in yesterday, he kidney numbers had gotten worse, but the doc seemed to think whatever was going on was neurological, based on the progression of the symptoms. I was the night duty guy for the last couple of weeks, and last night on her midnight trips outside to do her business she nearly fell a couple of times. Wife got up to relieve me around 0200 and also because she was worried and couldn't sleep and Katie was the same when she went outside with her.

Wife made the decision this morning, we had discussed the fact that our girl was not having any fun at all, Katie wasterrified of what was happening to her being lost in her own house even. We had asked if the vet could come out to our place while in the office yesterday, to make it easier on Katie. So he showed up this afternoon while he was out doing other appointments.

We're both pretty sad as we had hoped this one would last a bit longer, my wife is pretty devastated. Her first whippet's passing was bad enough, this one is even worse due to Katie's attachment to her. Me, I miss my Frisbee buddy and always will. And one of her favorite games was "Find Geno", I'd go hide in another room, or behind trees or rocks while out and about and Katie would have a blast looking for me.

Katie at one week old, pic from the breeder, long before we got her:



A little over a year old, just after we got her:



A little over 10 years ago with her favorite ball at the time (long gone now)



My Frisbee buddy, pooped after a long session of catch, 2018:



And just over 8 months ago:



Many of you know how it is and have experienced similar already this year. My heart goes out to all dog lovers, as this kind of thing is inevitable. Doesn't make it any easier:

One final one. Katie doing what whippets do best....................chasing things (2019 I think)

Sorry to hear of this Geno, hopefully there's a doggy heaven.

My condolences.

Bummer.

RIP, Katie.

That stinks.
Sounds Like you guys gave her the best life she could have asked for. All you can do.
Condolences

Sorry Geno.

Geno I'm very sorry for your family's loss. What a wonderful life you gave her.

Good girl Katie, good girl.

That makes me sad. I'm sorry.

A beautiful girl.

Geno;
I am sorry to read of this my friend.

Folks who love animals get the mixed blessing of sharing our lives with them, but then having to part with them as well.

It was a nice tribute you made sir, thanks for that.

I'll remember you and your wife in my prayers for sure.

Dwayne

I’m sorry Geno it’s always so hard to lose a good dog but I’m sure that the wonderful 13 years you had with her and your love for a faithful dog is dwarfed by how much Katie loved you guys. She probably couldn’t have lucked out anymore than to be a part of your family.

Please give your wife a hug and let her know that we are feeling for her at this time.

Very sorry to hear this Geno.

I was mowing today around one of my labs’ graves from 2011 and got a little misty eyed today.

Gorgeous dog.....Sorry for your loss.

Slummy, thanks. We'd have considered burying her out back, but too many coyotes. My brother buried one of his in the desert years ago. 4' deep, rocks all over the top of in. He went back a few months later and the fuggers had dug it up.

Aces, I tell my wife that all the time. Katie would have had a difficult time with anyone else given her early life in a crate.

The rest of y'all, much appreciate the thoughts and prayers.

Must be my allergies, eyes are running again.

Dang! Sorry to hear..

Second that.

Very sorry to here that Geno. Always tough losing one.

Sorry to hear you've lost your friend. What a bummer!

She is good girl I remember reading many posts about her. God bless