Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Angel Dog

To: Abbottsville Fourth Ward
From: Donna Banta
Subject: Katy Banta, 1998-2011

With Emily -- 1998
In the summer of 1998, the most amazing creature entered our lives. She chewed our furniture, peed on our carpet, dug up our garden, terrorized our cats, and nestled herself deep inside each of our hearts.

For the 4,786 days our Katy graced this planet, she was forever cheerful, full of love, always up for a good game of tug-of-war, on non-stop squirrel patrol, and never stooped to being intimidated by something so insignificant as a cat.
With Emily and Marky on our front porch in Dallas, TX -- 2000
Always our loyal companion, Katy cared for us when we were sick and comforted us when we were sad. On the morning of September 11, 2001, she transferred back and forth between our laps while Mark and I watched the tragedy unfold on television. She kept us company after our kids left the nest, and while her relationship with them was dicey, she treated our cats with the sympathy and dignity they deserved at the end of their lives.

Katy helped us move from Texas to California, and offered steady friendship during that stressful transition. Later, she gamely accompanied us on a cross-country road trip, and left her own imprint on America. (Most memorably when she squatted to poop in front of the doorman at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.) She was on hand for every holiday and party, full of merriment and pointed demands for people food. Best of all, when we came home she was there to greet us with a hyper enthusiasm that never faltered -- whether we'd been gone for ten days or for only ten minutes.
At an Ex-Mormon party at our house in
San Francisco --2010
Joseph Smith challenged traditional Christian folklore when he claimed that angels don't have wings. What he forgot to mention is that they have four legs, waggy tails, cold noses, and hearts the size of Lake Michigan. These angels walk the earth today. We see them all the time.
With Mark on Stinson Beach -- 2010
Katy Banta
June 15, 1998 -- July 22, 2011
Posted by Donna Banta at 7:48 AM
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9 comments:

  1. AhabJuly 27, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    My condolances for Katy's passing. She sounded like a very sweet and good-natured dog.

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  2. Donna BantaJuly 27, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Thanks Ahab. She was a good friend.

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  3. HeatherJuly 27, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    What a sweet little pup. So sorry for the loss.

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  4. Just ZenaJuly 27, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I'm so sorry. I know how it hurts to lose a cherished dog.

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  5. Donna BantaJuly 27, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Thanks Heather and JZ. I can see Katy wagging her tail back at you both!

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  6. Paul SunstoneJuly 30, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Sorry for your loss, Donna. I hope the memory of her brings you comfort.

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  7. Donna BantaJuly 30, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Paul, thank for that. We do have lots of memories.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 2, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    This brought tears to my eyes. What a sweetie.

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  9. Donna BantaAugust 2, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Thanks CD, while I've no idea what happens to people, I truly believe in doggy heaven.

    ReplyDelete

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