Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Bye bye, baby girl

99 Comments

Princess Katie: December 15, 2006 – June 7, 2022

We will love you forever, Katie-girl.

Wait for us over the bridge sweetie, we’ll find you when we get there.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

99 thoughts on “Bye bye, baby girl

  1. So very, very sorry. How I will miss seeing beautiful Katie. We lost our Liam four years ago, and I miss him still. How we love our fur buddies.

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  2. I am heartbroken, Dawn. Heaven just got a royal angel. Much love to you.

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  3. AND so will we –
    We all knew it was coming – I could see it in your royal demeanor –
    I’m so glad YourMama spent time celebrating YOU –
    I did that with NAK….once I made the call to set up her date with dignity, it became all about HER – and we made lots of memories/momories –

    We’ll look for your ROYAL SIGN you’ve made it – and met all your pals from here now that you are there!

    H&K,
    Phyll

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    • I haven’t seen a sign yet, but I’m sure she will let me know she’s OK, when she’s done partying with all her friends. And scarfing down food. She hadn’t eaten much for a long time.

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  4. So very sorry about Katie. What a sweet, beautiful girl. May she live in your heart forever!

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  5. I am so sorry your little one passed on. But, oh what a life you gave her. She truly lived the life of a princess. Hugs to you and your husband. Memories of her will be with you always.

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  6. So heartbroken for you.

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  7. Huge hugs to you, Dawn. I love that you put a picture of her under the rainbow.
    xoxo

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    • I knew when I saw that rainbow that it was time. It’s as if it was sent to tell me That was Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon she was in distress, very uncomfortable, unable to settle in any one spot. I called the vet that afternoon and set up the appointment.

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      • It was a pretty clear and beautiful message. There is nothing worse than watching our loved ones, be they two or four-legged, in distress. Sending out more hugs to you.

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  8. So sorry! I never met Katie (or you) in person, but I felt I knew her through your writing. I know she will be waiting to greet you some day. Wishing you peace.

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  9. So many friends waiting for Katie girl ….how we will miss her sweet little face

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  10. Dawn, I’m so sorry. I was in tears over your last post, knowing it wouldn’t be long. I’m so sorry.

    If it’s any comfort, I never met your Katie, but feel as though I spent many, many happy hours with her in all her favorite places, with her best pals, and seeing her life narrated by you as you did was just the greatest way to get to know her without being able to actually meet.

    You guys were the best princess parents in the world. And because of you guys, we all love and miss your Katie.

    I can’t tell you how sorry I am.

    Yours,

    Michelle

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    • Hi Michelle. It has been hard. I still think she’s right around the corner. I wish she was. Everything seems to remind me of her. I cry at a moment’s notice. Sometimes with no notice at all. I’m glad so many people loved her. She was a special girl. I hope you and yours are doing OK.

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  11. Expecting this does not make it any easier to see. Through your posts here and on FB, I’ve come to feel like I know her. But, obviously, nowhere nearly as well as you do. My sympathy, Dawn. Such a good, beautiful girl; hurts to know she’s gone.

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  12. So sorry for your loss; a beautiful photo tribute to wee Katie 🤗

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  13. I’m so sorry, Dawn. Your relationship clearly was as special as Katie was herself; I’m glad to have met her through you.

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  14. Crying here. I love you Katie. I love you Dawn.

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  15. hugs to you… we will watch the sky tonight to send a kiss to the new star….

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  16. So sorry for you, Dawn. We miss her a lot already. Hugs to you.

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  17. Giant HUGS ❤️ Sweet sweet princess girl. I held my sweet boy Drew at the end of last year as we said goodbye. He was a border collie that we adopted from my daughter-in-law because he wasn’t good around children and they just had my granddaughter. They take a piece of our heart with them, oh my, so many animals over the years. May they all be romping and playing together over that bridge. ❤️🙏❤️

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  18. Dawn, I am so sorry Katie is gone. It is like losing one of my own. She became such a lovely friend on her various adventures and daily comments added by “Mom”. Blessings and comfort to you.

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  19. Sorry to read this. Hugs.

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  20. I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose a precious furkid. Hugs♥

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  21. Oh Dawn…I am so very sorry. My heart hurts for you. You and your husband gave Princess Katie a wonderful life. The greatest gift of love was to gently help Katie start her next adventure. I can only imagine the joyous welcome your sweet girl received. I will miss Katie; she will always have a special place in my heart. Sending you both love, hugs, and prayers.
    porter o8j;

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    • She had a wonderful life, but so did we having her with us. We loved her so much we couldn’t watch her suffer, so though we might have been a day or two early, we knew we had to set her free. But it sure hurts.

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  22. I am so very sorry. I have no words. Hugs across the miles.

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  23. Oh, no! First thing I saw this morning on my screen. Sending you all kinds of love and sympathy! You know ALL your friends loved Katie, too.

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  24. Dawn, such sad news. I know you will miss her but be filled with all of the times she led you on your walks. Peace.

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  25. Sending you guys all the hugs, from Torrey and I.

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  26. I’m so sorry… we will miss her so very much. Such a beautiful little princess.
    She will live with you always in your heart.
    Hugs to you………

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  27. I’m very sorry. Losing our fur children is not easy.

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  28. Dawn, feeling heartbroken for you as dear Katie left her earthly body. Yet the rainbow photo that you too tells it all. Your love for her was so immense and the rainbow illuminates that love you experienced. Tears…and blessings for the knowing you’ll meet again. ((Hugs of comfort))

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  29. So sorry Dawn…I will miss the daily pictures of Princess Katie….she was loved by many and had a wonderful life.

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  30. Dawn, I’m so very sorry. Thank you for sharing your beautiful girl with us. She’ll live on in our hearts.

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  31. I’m sure she’ll be waiting the Bridge for you. Ready to go on more adventures with her mama.
    So sorry for your loss. 💔🐾

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  32. Oh Dawn. I am so sorry. Bundles of hugs.

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  33. NO!!!! Oh, Dawn, I’m so very sorry. Yes, I knew from Katie’s previous post that the time was drawing near, but we humans don’t want to acknowledge that, so we find excuses and convince ourselves to stay optimistic. My heart is breaking for you and your husband. Katie was the BEST, most special princess — thank you for sharing her with us here. We’re all going to miss her!

    P.S. Katie, now that you’ve got your Sheltie-wings, please fly and find Dallas. Give him an extra-big hug from me and remind him to wait for me. Golly, it’s going to be one big, happy reunion one of these days!

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  34. 🥀 💔 😢 So, so sorry. . .

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  35. God bless Katie and her Mama and Papa. She was one of the most special pups to walk this good Earth and made life so much better for so many, just being Katie. I feel your loss as if she were my own because Katie’s blog messages made her such a good friend. There are no words but you are both being held close to my heart

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  36. Come back here when you can, Dawn, when you wish. We will be here. Love.

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  37. Oh dear Katie, oh Dawn- I know too well the sadness and pain. I cry with you at this time. ❤ ❤

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  38. Dawn, I am so sorry I was hoping for your sake and Katies you had more time left. Losing a pet is always challenging because they are our kids. I hope you can remember all the good times and smile.

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  39. Oh Dawn, I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave Katie a beautiful life. I have so enjoyed reading about your adventures together, both big and small. I loved her so much.

    I know that ache you must be feeling in your heart right now. Hugs to you.

    Thank you for sharing Katie -girl with all of us. I will miss her, already do.💔

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  40. I am so deeply sorry. Katie was such an incredibly special and beautiful girl. My heart just breaks for you, I know/understand the pain all too well. Sending (((hugs))) and prayers of comfort. She will be sorely missed by all of us xoxo

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  41. I know we’ve emailed but just wanted to drop by with more love and hugs. I am so sorry and will miss seeing Katie here on your blog. I wish I’d gotten the chance to meet her. Thank you for sharing her with us. There is so much love here and I hope that someday it begins to soothe your heartache.

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  42. I just saw this post. You gave Katie such a beautiful life while she was here, and I know she did the same for you. She will be greatly missed, for sure. Hugs to you.

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  43. Oh no, Dawn. I’m in tears. I knew this day would come and my heart aches for you. I hope Katie has met my Oreo and Leon and that their spirits are cavorting at the Rainbow Bridge. God bless you.

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  44. Your bravery in helping Katie to the bridge is heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Hugs to you – Katie loved you unconditionally!!

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  45. Oh Dawn, I’m so very very sorry. I somehow only just found this… though I knew it must be coming. One of those examples of change that is hard. So very hard.
    Crying for your loss of Katie, I find myself crying also for the loss of my furry ones, which I still do, frequently, these years later.
    Even though they still visit, and even though I have 2 more furry ones that I also love with all my heart.
    I saw your distraction post ( which led me to this one), and yes, I agree, distraction is helpful. Going on with life is helpful.
    Just now puppy Star Light grabbed my teary, snotty Kleenex that I was using while reading this, and started shredding it. She and Blue Sky… they keep me going. They keep me smiling, even through tears sometimes.
    Yes, distractions, time, and love are helpful. But we are changed in our hearts forever… the love they give and the things they teach us are so beautiful, and so good, and so very worth it.
    Big hugs to you Dawn.

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    • It’s hard, isn’t it. I remember how heartbroken you (and I) were when your two left. I can’t imagine doing this again. It’s been a hard week, even with distraction. My heart physically hurts. But some days I can breathe a little bit…then I fall right back into despair. I think this is normal when you’ve loved so deeply. I heard her toenails this morning…turns out it was the rain on the windows.

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Hang in there! You gave her a wonderful life and you knew when it was time. I will miss her too.

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    • I’m trying. I cry off and on every day. It will be 3 weeks on Tuesday. I miss her so much. I sometimes forget she’s not here, and the shock and grief just come in waves when I realize it again. I haven’t even told most of the neighbors because I can’t say it out loud yet.

      Liked by 1 person

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