06/03/03
Rest In Peace sweet Keisha!
Dear friends,
Although it hurts even to think about it, Ken and I thought you would want to know that our dog Keisha passed away over the weekend.  She was only with us 7 months, far too short of a time, but those last 7 months of her 11 years on earth were filled with love and people who cared about and for her very much. 
We adopted Keisha from a wonderful organization, the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League (WAMAL, http://www.wamal.com)  last November after her original family abandoned her at an animal shelter.  WAMAL rescued her from the shelter and gave her a foster home for several months, then we adopted her brought her home to live with us and become part of our family. 
Keisha was a gentle and intensely loyal dog who seemed to have 3 goals in life:  to please her people, to be loved, and to go on long walks as fast as possible.  She succeeded wildly in all three.  Her last month was filled with several medical crises, but she never lost her positive attitude and she seemed active and happy to the end, so that's what we're trying to remember.  She died peacefully in her sleep sometime early Saturday morning, 11 days after surgery for an aggressive form of cancer.  She seemed to be doing very well afterwards and her passing is as shocking as it is sudden. To celebrate Keisha's memory, we plan to scatter her ashes on a favorite walking route of hers later this month.
Ken and I, as well as our other malamute, Sadie, miss Keisha very much.  We knew when adopting her at 11 years old that we wouldn't have much time, but we had hoped for more.  Keisha brought a light into our lives and we were happy to make sure she had comfort, peace and joy in her remaining time.  As hard as it is to lose her, I would simply tell all of you that we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat to make sure she had the home she deserved.  I encourage all of you thinking of adopting a pet to seriously consider older animals that need your love and compassion most of all.  We adopted Sadie at 6 years old and she is still shining brightly in our lives at 13, so all things are possible.
Please keep Keisha in your thoughts today.