Our family was blessed with the World’s Best Dog. Kato was born October 31st, 1994. He will always be considered the best mistake we ever made. My wife and I were looking for a Beagle when we came upon a fuzzy little ball of joy. We were adamant about not purchasing the first dog we saw, we still had four months left on our apartment lease which stated no dogs. Which was why we left our checkbook behind that day. The pet store clerk pulled a Sheltie out of his cage to let run around, he was so cute, so wild, and so energetic, we watched with delight. That was the day we fell in love and of course we had to have him. I ran home to get my wallet, and the rest they say is history. My wife and I can still remember how the feel of hard wood floor vs. carpet had frightened him, and he had to be carried out of the store. We were told we made a big mistake. This began the incredible life and adventures of Kato.
Kato was a dog with class, great beauty, extreme patience and exceptional intelligence. He received top honors in his dog obedience class. He enjoyed his family and life to the fullest. Kato loved to go on walks, and actually held his own leash. He would ride in the front seat of the car with pride as though that was his seat and occasionally liked to stick his nose out the window. He always knew when the dishwasher door was open and would help wash the dirty dishes with his tongue. Football and hockey were the two sports Kato excelled in. Whenever there was a cabinet door open or if a purse or bag was left on the floor you could be sure Kato’s nose was in it checking it out. Of course eating was a top priority and he would let us know in the morning that he was hungry and that sleeping in was not an option, and also he knew when it was five o’clock p.m.(dinner time). Even though Kato was a male dog, he was often called the Princess Boy or Girly Dog, because my wife and daughter loved to make him look pretty. He was very much a lover not a fighter, he never growled out of anger. He never held a grudge. One of the many ways Kato showed his love for us was by leaning into our shoulder and resting his head there until he was ready to stop giving us a hug.
Kato acted as though he was a human stuck in a dog’s body. It seemed as though Kato really wanted to communicate with us and he did so by howling, barking, wagging his tail and just getting so excited to see those that he loved. Kato would look at you every time you would talk and tilt his head as though he really wanted to understand everything you were saying, he did know many words such as momma, daddy, Amanda, Grandma, Grandpa, cows, walk, ride, whose there and of course lets eat. etc.
On May 11th, 2009, we lost our beautiful boy, our family member, our friend, our companion, our child, and our loved one. We miss him so dearly but we are comforted by knowing he can now see and hear, he can run as fast as he can, he is allergy free and is no longer in any pain. Although Mother Nature has taken his body, we are confident that God has taken his sole. The Lord is our Sheppard and we have sent him his Sheepdog. Kato, thanks for 14 1/2 wonderful years, we will never forget you.
The Jones Family