It’s hard to put into words how much a pet can change your life. They become a best friend, confidant and fiercely loyal protector. They have hearts too pure for this world, which is why (unfortunately), their journey with us is short lived.
When I was 16, my parents got Kali. The dog I had always dreamed of. She was with me through some of my hardest times, as well as the best. She was my running buddy, sleeping buddy and all around adventure partner. Kali travelled more in her almost 15 years of life than most humans get to. She enjoyed road trips around North America and loved spending time at our cabin. On hot, sunny days, you would find her in the sun, overheating until we forced her inside to cool off.
She lived to see my hard teen years turn into the greatest of my life – from my high school graduation to meeting my now-husband and being there on my wedding day; and from my university graduation to welcoming my two kids – wow, did she love my kids. She loved them as her own. Whenever they were around, she was on duty. Guiding them as they learned to walk, keeping them on the right path and away from danger. Although she didn’t have endless energy in her last years, whenever my kids came, she was revitalized. She would always be near to watch them play, despite being unable to run alongside them.
There wasn’t a more perfect dog for our family than Kali. She was everything we could have wanted and more. She loved unconditionally, provided smiles on the darkest days and showed what a loving, true companion should emulate.
Kali, I hope you’re eating endless ice cream and running on white sand beaches. And I know you are still watching over my kids, because there was no one who did it better than you.
