Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 An empty collar stays within my reach these last few days. It has become the "security blanket" of my adulthood. The collar belonged to my beloved Kaylie. Kaylie ABCA 68853 was born on June 21, 1993. Her sire was Walt Jagger's Imp. Celt ISDS 167036 and her dam was Imp. Jill (Jen) ISDS 177852, owned by Melanie & David Campbell. Kaylie was the first dog of my own as an adult, and also my first Border Collie. My research on different breeds resulted in plenty of warnings from friends and breeders of Border Collies about how difficult Border Collies could be to live with as a "pet," but after months of looking at several options, it still seemed the Border Collie was the right breed for me. Kaylie was a very challenging young dog--high drive even for a working-bred Border Collie--but returned my dedication to training her a hundredfold as an amazing friend and companion. With Kaylie, I was introduced for the first time to obedience training for competition, stockdog work (sheep herding lessons), agility, and flyball. In each venue, she was very talented and natural, although I lacked the resources to support the ongoing training (for both of us) necessary to achieve elite levels of competition. In my adventures and partnership with Kaylie, I learned many things. Most importantly, it permanently solidified my dedication to the working Border Collie as my breed of choice, as well as insidiously getting me hooked on pursuing stockdog lessons, developing goals to trial with my dogs, and even entertaining the fantasy of someday owning a "gentlewoman's" flock of my own. At the time I brought home my new puppy Kaylie, I enjoyed watching sheepdog trials and stockdogs at work, but getting involved with sheep with my dog was the last thing on my mind. What a clever girl to convince me she should at least be tested on sheep to "see if she's got anything!" Soon after that first introduction to sheep, I found myself driving 90 minutes each way for our first lessons. Funny how that happens, isn't it? Kaylie was fighting a number of problems relating to age and compromised kidney function, but in her last two weeks she began to show symptoms of neurological trouble, presumed by our vet to be caused by a brain tumor. After a last-ditch effort with medication, I had to face the fact that she was not going to get better, and helping her go was the right thing to do for her sake. In her last few days, she was unable to manage anything without assistance, including walking, eating or drinking, or safely negotiating even the familiar layout inside our home. It was hard to equate this incapable, somewhat depressed animal with the lively "brainiac" dog I'd known for nearly 14 years. It was time to make things better for her. On April 27, 2007, I made one of those incredibly difficult "right" decisions, brought Kaylie to the vet for the last time, and helped ease her way out of this world. Now I have an empty collar. Oddly, it brings me a little comfort, sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 A shamelessly large photo tribute to Kaylie follows. Our first day together, August 1993. A few days later--who can resist a puppy head tilt!? Such a perfect puppy! Just a few months old, at a horse show. The only photo of her working that I have scanned in to my computer. I know I've shared this this plenty of times, but I gotta post it here, too. 1994. Kaylie doing her meerkat imitation in 1995. Non-posed photo of her with the Disney cat, 1995. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rockie's mum Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 She was gorgeous, my heart and prayers go out to you, you must find comfort wherever you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 What beautiful and clearly special girl. That puppy picture- made me say "aw, honey bunny"- a phrase reserved for only THE most cute pups. Thanks for telling us about her- she was obviously a great ambassador for her breed. Look at you now! Julie A shamelessly large photo tribute to Kaylie follows.Our first day together, August 1993. A few days later--who can resist a puppy head tilt!? Such a perfect puppy! Just a few months old, at a horse show. The only photo of her working that I have scanned in to my computer. I know I've shared this this plenty of times, but I gotta post it here, too. 1994. Kaylie doing her meerkat imitation in 1995. Non-posed photo of her with the Disney cat, 1995. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 My sympathies on your loss. I hope your memories bring you comfort and I'm sure she's waiting at the Bridge for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Snow day! Snow day II (making up for my lack of skill, as usual!). A Christmas photo of us. Yeah, I make my dogs look foolish once in a while...they patiently tolerate my nonsense so we can carry on with the good stuff! She "smiled" on command, but it wasn't easy to catch with the camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 A bit past middle age in these... A few years ago. Another snow day, watching for her sister Perky. January 2005. With my niece, January 2006. July 2006 July 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I'm sorry for your loss. Kaylie was beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Her last months... January 28, 2007, playing in the snow again. Our last photo together. February 4, 2007. We knew this was probably her last year...February 4, 2007. Her final photo, April 26, 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Gosh, she was a wonderful dog. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your memories and pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Megan, she was a beautiful girl. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming story. In time, when you think of her the memories will bring a smile to your lips, instead of a tear to your eye. My sincere sympathies on your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful companion. I still have the collars of my two old ones. They are a comfort. I know you will miss your girl and my thoughts are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Oop Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 What a beautiful dog. I'm sure you miss her. I have one of those empty collars on my mantle, as well and you're right -- it does help. I'm glad you have such wonderful memories. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerie Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Such a sweet, beautiful girl, and what a wonderful photo tribute to her. I am so very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I am truly sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelliwic Border Collies Posted May 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Thank you to each of you for your kind words. It is so nice to have an extended "dog family" who understands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moss Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 What a beautiful and touching tribute to a very, very special dog. So sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DixiesDad Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful Girl. Thank you for sharing the photo tribute. Just remember the collar is not empty but is full of memories and dreams of Her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoe Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 I said I'd stop reading this forum, but I just read your story.. and the tears are a'flowin. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl. I hope it gets easier for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serena+Eluane B.C. Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 So very sorry for your loss. What a treasure of memories and photos you have! Kaylie was such a gift in your life as I am sure you were a gift to her as as well in hers! What companionship and love between you both... We are so very touched and her last days'/year photos are so vivid and she so lovely, and what expression..., very gentle and so dignified... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea4th Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 That is a beautiful photo tribute to a wonderful dog. I am so sorry for your loss. Although I saw this thread earlier, sometimes I just don't know what to say, but yesterday while working on a project, I came across something that was fitting, something written by Albert Payson Terhune nearly a hundred years ago for his Lad, and that is a portion from another quote which went: Oh there was something with the old dog went That I had not thought could die. Thank you for that tribute to Kaylie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryP Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 I really should know better than to read these threads at work. I had to get up and shut my office door so that no one would wonder why I was crying. I'm so sorry for you loss. Kaylie was beautiful and looked like she was a real firecracker in her youth. Thank you for sharing her story, even though you made me cry at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rescue Nut Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost our first fuzzy baby, Buffy, a BC mix about 11 months ago. She too was the light of our life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Buffy 4/03 - 6/06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanni and kingsley Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 fitting tribute to a beautiful girl. as i look at the pictures.. i can only think of the amount of love and joy she must have brought to your life and vice versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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