Callie came into our family (my daughter's and mine) 9 years ago. She was in a shelter and 2 hours from euthanasia. She had been a stray and was heartworm positive.
She spent time at my daughter's house and our house and eventually lived just here. She had her own special bed in the bedroom.
We thought she was about 15 now. Her face was all white.
Look at her before.
She loved all the beds-- especially the Peke sized ones. She would just curl up in a "coonie curl". She was a Treeing Walker Coonhound and that's what they call it when they curl up into a little circle.
On Thursday, (before she died on Friday) we had four foster parents with their foster Pekes from the Christmas rescue. We wanted to see them together to get an idea of who got along with who.
Callie loved having them all here. There was Jolly, Holly, Snickerdoodle, Jellybean, and Winter. TD came too. He's Jolly's foster home sibling.
Callie was so excited.
Young Callie loved to get on the couch, or Matt's chair. There's the curl again.
She had some photo sessions. She was always so good.
St. Patrick's Day found her all in green.
A winter picture showed her getting ready for the holidays.
When Callie was in the shelter, she just wanted attention. She was so happy. Unlike other hounds, she did not bay, or bark excessively. She just wanted a family.
Beach Bit (who is almost 15 now) was so gentle with her, holding out his hand when he went to meet her. Callie loved her boy and often slept on his bed.
Callie loved Sugar Bit, too (who is now 10). That's all it took. She became part of the family.
She had been a stray, probably a failed hunting dog. She had a mark on her right front leg (like a small brand). No one claimed her. She was heartworm positive and had to go through treatment. She came through beautifully.
She was young, but time moved on.
This past Christmas, she was in front of a winter scene on the TV. I loved it. Her face matched the snow.
She joined in when everyone was barking for dinner.
She was a full part of the family.
Mistletoe tried to boss her, but Callie was unphased. She was so good with all the foster dogs I brought here. (Even when we had SO many with the Christmas Rescue. Callie was usually the first one I introduced.
She took over my husband's recliner. She could just jump in it at first. Later, she took a running jump, and this past week, she was still determined to get into it. She did by slowly climbing into it.
She loved the back porch, and like most hounds, she loved finding a sunny spot in the back yard. With all the trees, she had to change as the day moved on. (She was the only one who was allowed to be outside without me. The fence was secure, and no hawk was going to get her. And she could always come push open the door to come inside.)
This past week, she was her normal self. But, Thursday night, she was a little off, so I stayed downstairs. She fell asleep and seemed fine. Friday morning, she was struggling. I messaged my vet and I went as soon as they opened. She stopped breathing a few times and they gave her oxygen. Her lungs had fluid in them, her neck was swelling with fluid. It was Sudden Respiratory Distress, which can come on so fast. And there was nothing we could do to help her. I wasn't going to let her not be able to get air as the swelling increased. My husband came from work, and she tried to get up to go to him. She did for just a moment. She knew she was loved.
I was on the floor with her as we let her go. No pain, no struggle. And that afternoon, I received this -- thank you to whoever sent them.
We are so grateful for the time we had with Callie. She was the Mama Dog here and she mothered all those around her. She was our girl. Run free, sweet girl-- there must have been SO MANY who met you when you arrived. 🌈
