Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

Crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 6, 2006

Our sweet, goofy Kimi (#207) finally gave in today. Things have been a little rough for her physically for the last several months, but she was happy. Last night she lost the ability to stand on her own, now having trouble controlling her front legs as well as her hind. She came to us an older gal from Golden bond Rescue. Diane did a great job of pairing her up with us. She had some severe skin problems, and could not be left alone without tearing herself apart. I had battled that for years with my Jack, and so was familiar with her plight. With love and a corrected diet, she did wonderfully in this last stage of her life. She learned how to use the couch, it took her awhile — front end on, back end off, and vice versa — till she finally found that there were few things better in life than laying on her back, feet in the air for a nice nap. She also learned to speak. She came to us without a voice, but Lucky (our other rescued Golden) taught her how to vocalize. Once she started, it was often hard to get her to stop. She didn't really bark, she just sort of talked. She would be alone in a room, rolling around on the floor talking to herself. She was such a delight, and made us smile and laugh every day. She came to us with eyesight that was starting to go, and toward the end she was almost blind. She did not hear so well anymore, but it almost seems like her hearing worked a bit better when it was something she wanted to hear. She really was a goofy clown, but she was an absolute savant in one area.

If she wanted to kiss you, you would be kissed. She had an elaborate method of head faking then striking like lightning to get you right on the nose. You quickly learned to keep your mouth closed if you were within a 2 foot radius of that kisser. She loved stuffed animals. Loved disassembling them anyway — and she did so with slow, careful precision. At first she would carry it off and mother it, carefully licking all of it and tucking it under her chin, then slowly but surely, there went an eye, and ear, maybe a nose — then the good stuff. She was a master at getting all of the innards out, and would carefully place all of the balls of fluff in a radius around her where she laid. She went everywhere with us, and loved the beach. She did not care for swimming, but wading was a different story. A little wading, a little laying in the sand. A little more wading, more laying in the sand. She loved to lay in the sun. We had a hard time keeping her from ingesting sea water, because those whitecaps really needed to be destroyed.

Kimi was a good friend, and we all grew to love her. We are all the better for having had her in our lives. She passed at about 12:30 today, and I'm sure she found Jack at the rainbow bridge. It's nice to know they will both be waiting for me. Her ashes will be scattered in the back yard amongst the flowers that she loved, and on the beach where she watched over the kids.

Tod, Sandi & the kids

Update November 2002

Kimi (#207) has really wriggled her way into our hearts. Her health has been fantastic. Her only indiscretion has been concerning loaves of bread or sandwiches on the counter. She does like peanut butter and Jelly. We had a concentrated training session about bread and counter-surfing, and I think she is trained out of it.Now she is pretty much just a non-stop clown. She has us laughing every day. She is a real joy. She is a perfect fit for us. Sandi has just started taking her everywhere. She has never had a problem being left in a vehicle. She is quite content to curl up on her bed there and take a nap. She loved trick or treating with the kids, as well as answering the door on Halloween. She tries so hard to please, it's just a joy to see. She knows she is not supposed to lick or scratch, and will stop immediately when asked to. She will sometimes kind of limp up to me, trying not to get that back foot up to scratch, and I'll get it for her. She loves to play, and has a lot of energy, but man what a couch potato. She is so funny the way she sleeps. She will get herself all twisted around like an otter, or be half hanging off the couch while she's sleeping. like I said, she cracks us up. Thanks again for putting us in touch with this wonderful friend who has settled into our lives, and even stopped requiring extra maintenance.

Kimi's Adoption Story

Hi, I'm Kimi (#207) and I'm a new family member with Tod and Sandi and their children Willie, Lindsey and Jared in Portland. Everyone was impressed by how I could jump into the back of our SUV from the ground without help - just as easily as a six year old. There's a special leather sofa where I get to sit right next to my new dad - I've already tried it out and it's just swell! They told me that I might even get to sleep with Linsey at night and that would be pretty wonderful too. Everybody likes my kisses and I love to give them. I get to have all of the toys that belonged to Jack who was here before me, so I'm going to try very hard to fill his paws.