Meet Katie Em
Bella was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. She had several other health struggles throughout her life. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge in Mike’s arms in the comfort of our home. Mike and I have been together for over twenty years. That day was the only day I have ever seen him cry. Vino was able to see her and smell her after she passed. We hoped that would help him to know that she was gone. He grieved for her loss just as we did.
Vino has some separation anxiety. He’s a momma’s boy and wants to always be by my side. He has been that way since the day he came home with us. He insists on being involved in everything we do. When I leave for work, Vino sticks by Mike’s side. When we are both gone, normally he would have had Bella for company. That changed on the day Bella passed. When we would come home from being away even for a short period of time, I could hear Vino howling plaintively. He missed Bella. We knew we needed to find another companion to keep him company and help him to deal with the loss of his friend. Mike and I were ready to welcome another Jack Russell into our home and hearts.
We called the same breeder from whom we had gotten Vino, inquiring if she knew of any female Jack Russell Terriers in need of a home. She recently had a six-month old female returned who had gone through a couple of different owners. The young JRT had been in an unsafe environment both times. Luckily, those owners did the right thing and returned her to the breeder who was very responsible and readily took her back. The breeder said she was thinking about keeping her, but if we were truly interested, she would consider letting us give her a forever home. The breeder knew Luke and knew of the kind of home we gave to Vino. She agreed to a meet-and-greet.
Just as we did when we went to see Bella for the first time, we wasted no time, loaded Vino into his crate and jumped in the car. Vino, Mike and I fell in love at first sight. We named her Katie Em after Mike’s passion for KTM motorcycles. Say Katie Em’s name fast and you’ll figure it out. She’s almost five years old now and the most active member of our family to say the least. I’m looking forward to sharing her adventures (and misadventures) with you all.