Our precious baby girl was born with deformed knee caps that we discovered when she was 6 months old. We consulted with numerous veterinarian's to determine a treatment strategy. We always knew that a day would come and she would lose mobility. After fighting her disability and most certainly in daily pain, after 8 and 1/2 years she no longer could go on.

We always told her we would help her, but on Thursday March 28, we no longer could. I pray she crossed the Rainbow Bridge knowing we did our best and could not help any longer.

Everyone loved Katie. And Katie loved everyone. She loved us, our grown children and our grandchildren unconditionally.

As time went on and she grew older, she was forced to be more sedate.She couldn't walk very far, run or chase a tennis ball. Jumping on couches and beds became impossible. Climbing stairs a challenge. We became her legs whenever possible.

Although she was born in Wisconsin and raised in Illinois; it was Florida that she loved. She loved spending her winter months in the Sunshine State. She loved to relax on the Lanai, bask in the sun, try to catch little lizards, and never was bothered down there by her dreaded flies and nats, which she hated.

But it was the golf car rides that she truly loved. Rain or shine, we took her for her ride everyday and how she loved those rides! She loved all the new smells, the wind in her face and the wheels of the golf car serving as her legs to travel and explore new daily adventures.

She died in Florida and we are happy that it was here, as Florida was her happy place. And she made our home our happy place wherever we were, either north or south.

Our house is a little colder right now. It's also a little empty as well. Our hearts ache and tears can appear without notice. But, we relish those 8 years with her. She gave us all her love and we gave ours back to her in return.

We have other beloved dogs that crossed the Bridge but this one hurts the most. Maybe it's because we are getting older or maybe it is because we were her caregivers and spent so much time together. Plus she was our rock during Covid when we were separated from family and friends.

The only comfort today is knowing that she is free to run, without pain. So run Katie run. And run to us when we get there!