solace_

I lost my most beautiful, precious and loving dog Calico on the 29th of September. I would like to share pictures and stories of my amazing girl, she was strong and went through so much in her life. My heart is broken and I miss her so much, the house feels empty without her here.

We rescued her just over 4 years ago, as soon as I saw her in the kennel I fell in love with her. From the beginning she was unwell but always had such a bright spirit and big heart. Cali had kennel cough when we rescued her so they couldn't spay her right away. Unfortunately she had come into heat when she was in the shelter and she got an infection. She became really sick so they spayed her right away even with the kennel cough. Cali recovered really quickly after that then she got sick again. We found out she had diabetes and she had ketoacidosis. The vet wanted to put her to sleep but I fought for her. The vet said that she would have to be in the hospital a week and she was out by 4 days, she was a very strong dog, a fighter. Eventually she went totally blind because of the diabetes but it didn't seem to effect her, she was the same as always.

We gave her shots everyday, she had special food and lived a happy life, we were so lucky to have her as part of our family. She loved out cats and they would often cuddle up to her. She would still be a trouble maker at times, she would get into the trash once she discovered where we kept moving it. If we didn't put food far enough back onto the counter-tops Cali would grab it, once she got a whole loaf of bread! Cali would jump onto the bed and sleep with me, she would lay right up against me and my arms would be wrapped around her. I would love to watch her dream, she would make little barking sounds and yelps, and her legs would move as if she were running. Her lips would move and she would swallow, she would be dreaming of eating something tasty I am sure. He tail would wag, she was so happy.

Calico loved attention, any new person she would love on them. She had a place under her tummy and we would scratch it and her leg would jiggle like crazy. She was a kind, sweet girl. When the cats decided that they liked the taste of her food better they would stick their head in her bowl and eat her food, she would wait patiently until she could get her head in the bowl too. When I clipped her nails I would often paint them pink, I don't think Cali liked it much lol.....I thought it was cute. She never stopped wagging her tail, even when she was sleeping! Cali always knew when I was depressed and sad, she would come over and rest her head in my lap and sometimes I would cry into her fur. Of course she had the famous Dalmatian smile too, always made us smile with her!

I have so, so many found memories of our girl and I am so sad that she is now gone. I can see her running around up there, bright and happy, running with the horses and exploring and smelling everything. I asked my horse that passed away when I was 18 to find her so they can both be together, running and free.

We were with her until the end. She got sick very fast, within a week. I held her in my lap and her head rested in my hand as the vet put her to sleep, I felt her spirit drift and part of me when with her. We buried her under a tree in the horses field, the horses can watch over her. Rest in peace our special girl, thank you for bringing so much joy and comfort to our lives, we miss you everyday, every moment. You will be forever with us Calico. When our tears dry they will be replaced with smiles, because that is what you did girl, you made us smile everyday. Until we meet with you again Cali........