Planet Wilder

[thumb:1183:l:l=g]Sometimes this morning Kato pasted away. On Saturday he was diagnosed with liver cancer. I’ll miss him very much. He was my sweet little dog and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye… or a proper goodbye.

I have always wanted a cocker spaniel. Ever since I met Kelty, my food family friend’s dog, I was in love with the cockers. They’re so cute and gentle. So ever since I graduated from college I’ve been thinking about a dog… or a cocker for that matter and every so often I’d look in the paper to see what is available.

I remember, I was working at the cable company in Boise, and on my lunch break. I was browsing the classifieds and somebody had some cockers for sale. My then husband, Stephen, was not ready for a dog but after much whining, which I must say I’m pretty good at, he gave in. After work we both went to this couple’s home and I was the first to respond to their ad. They told me that except for the one that’s been pre-ordered, I could pick which other one I wanted. I picked one up. He was really cute and we got to talking to the breeder. While we talked, I notice this puppy just nibbling on my shoe lace. I looked at the one I had and this shoe lace nibbler and I had to put the one I had down. The nibbler was Kato.

[thumb:1182:r:l=g]Kato came home with me at about 6 weeks old. He was the cutest little puppy that I have ever seen and after a while, I realized that he was pretty smart too. He was potty trained within a few days and by a week was a pro at it. Of course he had his puppy moments but it was mostly our fault. He’s always quick when there was snow on the ground; he’d tiptoe his way through the snow. During his puppyhood he went through a couple pairs of shoes, some carpet, and misc. “yummy” items here and there. But we still loved him and he would make us laugh because he would look so pathetic when he was punished.

Kato loved to wander off. Also not his fault originally. We use to live in a subdivision on a cul-de-sac and I’d let him out to explore and “chit-chat” with the other dogs. So this little ordeal became a big issue when he started wandering off further away from the house. He loved going to this old man’s house behind us for a treat. Around this time he learned how to howl too. So if somebody got a hold of him, I would know where to go because of his howl. If nobody found him, Kato would always come back. For some reason I was never worried about him when he’s out. I knew that he’d come back. We’re more worried about the dog catcher getting him than anything else.

[thumb:1181:l:l=g]Kato was always there for me. Everytime I had an argument with Stephen, he was there. When Stephen was gone, Kato was there. I use to take Kato to the drive-thru. There’s this one that has doggy items on their menu. He loved driving through the bank and the occasional McDonalds. Kato loved Petsmart too. His ears would go up everytime I say Petsmart (and treat or eat). If we pass by it and not stop he would howl. I remember one day I was at PS and Kato pooped. We ran away from the scene and minutes later we heard the intercom call for “cleanup on isle 7, cleanup on isle 7.” :D The Saturday market in Boise was another favorite of his. Here and there we would get him a big bone from one of the meat vendors. One day we decided to walk to the market. Dummy us thought it was not far. Ha! On the way back Kato plopped himself on the ground, under the shades, and refused to move. He has had it with walking! :D When I was going through my divorce, Kato was always there.

Our relationship with Drew brought us to Missouri. Drew has a dog too, Shady, and the two dogs became good friends soon after (or soon after their first big fight). Ever since they’ve always been together. Shady’s already missing him. She was looking for him this morning :(

Then we had Emma. Kato is so patient with her. She can take his toy, his bed, or his food from him and he’d be ok. She can pull his collar, his [thumb:1184:r:l=g]ears, or his hair, and he wouldn’t even growl. Once he did tell her but she was waaaay too rough and I was too far to grab Emma’s hands. But Kato never hurt Emma. He was always sweet to her and every night he’d sleep under her bed.

Kato loves food too much. He knows not to go in the kitchen but everytime I cook, he’s always under my feet. If not, he’d watch and as soon as something falls down, he’d get up to get it. That’s why I call him my vacuum cleaner. He cleans up everytime I cook.

He’ll always be my sweet little Kato. I’m so sorry I didn’t say goodbye before you go and that you were alone in a foreign place. If only I knew I would have come and gotten you yesterday afternoon after the doctor took the samples from you. I know you’re happier now in doggy heavan. Maybe you’re getting all the treats and food that we never gave you there. Instead of one treat a day you’re getting 2 dozen. Instead of dog food you’re getting a big juicey steak. I’m sorry you had to be so sick before you go and we didn’t have a chance to give you what you love to eat. I was planning a birthday party for you, for your big 10 year birthday this December. Just like the old days, ice cream with snacks all around it from that doggy treat store at the Plaza.

Goodbye my little Kato. Maybe I’ll see you again sometimes when I go to human heaven. Maybe you can be my dog again then and give you the hugs and kiss that you missed getting before you left.