one howl of a good dog

This post will be a little different. Today Dena’s dog, Kia, was put down. To memorialize a member of a family that has passed away, Dena will use this post as an opportunity to say goodbye.

Dena says:

Kia was born September 21, 1993. Kia was a pure bred Samoyed. She was a little ball of white fur with big bright eyes when she came home to us. Kia had a bright personality. She was friendly, loving, easy going and has terrible terrible breath. She hardly barked unless provoked which usually involved me teasing her. Kia did know a few tricks; sit, shake paws, beg, lay down and sing. She had a beautiful singing voice. We would tell her to sing and Kia would lift her head and howl. Kia was my mom’s “show dog” even though Kia didn’t act like one. She liked to get dirty, digging for frogs up at camp. She loved the snow and she would go snowshoeing with me in the winter. Even in her old age she acted like a puppy. She hates baths yet somehow every time I go home to visit, I end up giving her one. She hates the bath time but afterwards she would jump around the house rubbing herself on all the furniture and scold me at the same time. Kia loved car rides, treats, playing with other dogs, being the centre of attention and trips to camp. She loved staying at Grandpa Mac’s house because she was the queen and has the whole place to run around. Kia got along with most animals…ferrets, kittens, hamsters. Dad brought home a couple of kittens and Kia had no problems sharing the house with them. However, if we go somewhere without her for a few days, we will come home to chewed up blankets or gloves to show us that she is not happy that we left her home. She always greeted us at the door with a smile on her face. Samoyeds are known for their “smiles”. This morning, Kia was put to sleep and buried up at camp at 14 years old. She will be missed everyday and going home for visits will never be the same. Kia was a member of my family and we will never forget her.

I myself remember Kia a fun-loving dog possessing quite the little attitude. I recall one time while staying at Dena’s parents’ house when Kia reminded me who was in charge. I usually slept on a mattress on the floor when I was there, and apparently the area of the floor that I was sleeping on was usually reserved for her. One morning I was awoken suddenly by very forceful and heavy paw in my crotch, sharp claws and all. After a short search-and-rescue mission, my missing [ahem] “round friends” were returned. I got up and Kia promptly took her place on the floor and let out one of her howls. Those howls were her way of “singing”; a sort of phlegm-y howl rolling r’s. She was a good dog-in-law and will be missed.