Doc and Kate

These are our dogs Doc and Kate. We got Doc near the end of January. A friend of Dan's called and said his sister found him out in the cold, abandoned and starving. We were looking for a good dog, wanted one as a puppy but we couldn't turn this one away. He was a good looking dog - and a blue heeler/border collie mix. I wanted a blue heeler, so we took him in and named him Doc.

Because both Dan and I were gone a lot during the day, we knew it would be a good idea for Doc to have a companion. My friend Burke had a red heeler who had had a litter of pups and was trying to find a home for the cute little puppies. As soon as I found out, I called him up and told him I wanted the female.

I drove down to Cedar City valentine's weekend. THere was a big snowstorm that weekend - and it took me forever to get down and back. But it was worth the trip! Although she threw up a few times on the way home (including once all over my lap - UGH!) she eventually got used to the motion sickness and became quite happy.

When we walked in Doc thought she was his new toy. But Kate held her own. She is a tough little girl. And so very darling!! The dogs quickly became friends and got along well. They were sometimes monsters and had to be forced outside when they got a little too rambunctious! Is that how you spell that word?

For about two months our dogs were probably the biggest part of our world. We had them both vaccinated a week or two before we went to las vegas for spring break, and Doc was going to be neutered when we got back.

But when we got back the dogs were a little bit sick. I picked them up from where they were staying but Kate was not interested in a treat. Neither of them had dinner that night. They were not interested. Neither of them ate breakfast. Kate seemed a little bit slow and not quite herself. Neither one of them were, really. But when I got home on Monday Doc was very eager to eat, and since then has been his old self.

Kate, on the other hand, only got worse. By Wednesday we decided we needed to take her to the veterinarian along with Doc the next morning. But that was not soon enough.

My baby girl died that night. She had Parvo. Doc did too but he was older and his immune system was stronger. Little Kate was just so sad and miserable for the last few days. It broke my heart. I wish I could have saved her. I could have if I had known more about the disease, that it could kill her, and that I could have known if she had it with a simple $30 test from our vet. We will never be able to replace her, but Burke has promised us the pick of his next litter. We will not be able to replace Kate, but we will be able to have another dog to love and for Doc to play with.

It has been one of the saddest days of my life. Dan took it hard too. We were both very attached to the cute little thing. Doc has been looking for her, and is really lonely while we are gone. But we were sure lucky to have her for two months. She brought us so much happiness and joy and love.