Katie
Loracian First Impression
(Wizaland Newz Sensation x Wizaland Little Owl)
Katie is DNA Tested Normal (clear) for:
CEA - March 2005 & NCL - August 2005
From the very first moment we met Katie, we fell for her considerable charms. We'd travelled to Otley just to look at a litter - the first litter bred by Carol & Ian Wiltshire - not knowing whether we'd like any of the puppies or even if we'd be allowed to have one...and there she was. It didn't take long to know that she was the one.
The drive back seemed to take ages, most of which Katie spent alseep on my shoulder, whilst we tried to think of a suitable name for this beautiful black & white bundle. Katie Cuddle-Bucket seemd like a good choice given the fact that she was draped over my shoulder for hours, completely relaxed and fast asleep.
The Fair Lady Katherine - as she is sometimes known - was (almost) always a good girl. The worst thing she has ever done was to steal the dish-cloth from the draining board, and either leave it on the kitchen floor or put in her bed.
It's impossible to tell Katie off. Neither can you shout at her. She seems to possess a very human sense of right and wrong. If anyone asks 'who did this?' and it was something that Katie had done, you almost see her telling herself off.
Katie has always been my 'second in command', and she is wonderful in this role too. She anticipates what I want (most of the time) and reacts accordingly. Sometimes I ask for her help, which she is happy to give. One time, when Joshua was being a particularly naughty boy - he was pouncing on, and trying to 'kill' the vacuum cleaner - and just wouldn't stop despite my best efforts to disuade him. I asked Katie to 'have a word' with him. Katie walked up and stood between the vacuum and Joshua. She looked at the cleaner, then at Joshua and back to the cleaner again. Then she walked away without making a sound. Joshua NEVER attempted to kill the vacuum or the yard brush again.
Katie enjoyed her 'retirement' from the show scene by keeping her paw very firmly on the pulse of family life here. Her character and temperament are exemplary. Always she is there by my side, riding shotgun should any of the other dogs decide that they have a better idea than mine.
We would NEVER leave any of our dogs alone with a child, not even Katie..but when my first grandchild came into the house, aged 3 weeks, she sniffed him all over and then positioned herself in front of him (with her back to him) and shooed our other dogs away. You almost hear her saying "push off you lot, this one's mine". So it was no real surprise that when Dan began to learn to walk, she was right there with him and allowed him to pull himself up to his feet by grabbing her fur. Katie was so steady and patient with him as he took those faltering early steps. For the rest of her life Katie was always there to give Dan her special greeting every time he came to visit. Dan is a kind boy and very 'dog-aware'. He would bring something special for Katie whenever he came to visit...it might have been a small treat or a prize card that he'd made in art class especially for Katie....she was always the winner for him.
Katies all-time abiding (dog) love was my male Dobermann 'Pud'. They delighted in each other and he was her protector when she was a young puppy. The day I brought Layla (also a Dobermann) home as a tiny puppy, Katies face showed her total joy at having a new friend in the house. She knew that Layla was 'different' to the others. Layla always had a huge respect for Katie which was lovely to see, particularly as Layla was roughly 3 times Katies size.
Katie had her share - it was a small share - of ill health. She had a 'stroke' from which she completely recovered due, in part, to the fact that there were puppies in the house and she so adored puppies...hers or anyone else's.
She had an occaisional 'leakage' problem which cleared up quickly, she had several little lumps and bumps including a great big fatty one on her tummy. This was easily removed with surgery, Katies recovery was phenomenal and before long she was bouncing around like a 2 year old again (she was about 11 at the time).
Katies last day began much like any other. A romp in the early morning light with our other dogs and puppies, she had a great time - as she always did - and then settled down for a short while to await her breakfast. As her meal in front of her, she collapsed. She was lifted to her feet, but just stood there, staring at nothing. The Vet was called and we went straight over there. After a very thorough examination, we were told that she'd suffered a coronary and had a 'negative pulse'. There was no way back for our beloved Lady Katherine, who by this time was a very frail old lady. So we had to love her enough to do the right thing and allow her to go to her rest.