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The Best of the Sunny Raw Kitchen
The Best of Raw Freedom Community
Delightfully Raw and
Deliciously Raw

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Healthy food never tasted so good!

To learn more about my recipe books, click here!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Kyky in the Sky

This is a post I wished I wouldn't have to write for some time to come...

When you have furry companions you know that they will most likely leave the physical realm before you do. This is a reality that I'd become acutely aware of last spring when Puss wasn't feeling well. Kylo turning 13 this past November was another reminder that his days were numbered. Yet he was so young and vibrant for his age (thanks to a high raw diet) that we secretly hoped he'd be with us for a few more years.

It all happened so very fast... After noticing acute symptoms of what turned out to be an hereditary congenital heart disease over the weekend, our dear furry friend Kylo (aka Kyky) passed on his definitive journey at about 2 pm on Monday. How I wished that I could have returned in time for a final goodbye, but alas it was not in the cards. Thanks to the magic of technology I was however able to hang out with him shortly before he went via skype.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11/11/98 as the eleventh and last of the litter, he came to Don through his daughter Amber in September '99 and the two of them quickly became inseparable friends. I was blessed to join them a few months later in the summer of 2000.

Kylo was an impeccable fellow warrior with a true and noble heart, and it was our great honor to have his always faithful companionship these many years together. His body's final resting place is in the Slocan Valley, BC, on the Benailse land he knew and loved so well, near his lifetime furry sweetheart, Angel, who also passed on only a very short while ago. We feel it was no coincidence that Kyky moved on as a result of a 'broken heart' as he happened to visit the retreat center just after Angie's passing, and he clearly looked for her immediately after we arrived.

We have received many comforting emails in light of his departure. Thank you all, dear friends, for you support in these challenging times. I'd like to share the following with you as Veronique's words so eloquently capture the way we feel about Kylo:
I believe he had one of the best lives a dog could have, that is to be around his tribe for most of his days, and to roam as he pleased. May we remember his life as the holographic model to manifest a dog's best life: I hold the vision of infinite happiness, fulfillment and freedom for all dogs everywhere.

May your hearts heal from the loss of his physical, warm, handsome body presence and rejoice in the joy of being part of his non physical family forever.

A little photo tribute to remember him by...

During two of thousands of daily walkies on Paradise Road near the Benailse retreat center with his best friend Donnie and darling Angel.



Unfortunately, Angie always looks like a black blur on photos but we did manage to snap a clear shot here.


He was such a wonderful traveler; always so eager to come with and seamlessly adapting to his ever changing environment since we became nomads in the summer of 2009.


He never failed to draw attention with his striking looks and regal demeanor. We stopped counting how many times people asked whether he had some wolf in him. We knew that he was part German Shepard and Husky, but yes, we strongly suspect that there was wolf mixed somewhere in there too. Certainly he had that wonderful wild freedom loving nature.


He got to enjoy walks in some of the most stunning places in North America.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

  
Ellwood Beach, Santa Barbara, California


Kelowna, BC


 Eagle Mountain, Utah


Sedona, Arizona


Grand Canyon, Arizona



I thought I'd leave you on this cute note. Just after Kylo's passing I stumbled upon a message in my inbox that a friend had sent me over the Holidays. Don and I would sometime talk about his good karma. In fact we had nicknamed him 'King Kylo' for the royal treatment that he received - us being his loyal and devoted subjects, of course! ;-) - so this brought a smile to our faces.

An ah-ah moment about the family dog...
It's just dawned on me!!

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day.

He has his food prepared for him. He can eat whenever he wants.

His meals are provided at no cost to him.

He visits the Doctor once a year for his check up and again during the year if any medical needs arise.

For this he pays nothing and nothing is required of him.

He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep.

If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.

He has his choice of luxurious places to sleep.

He receives these accommodations absolutely free.

He is living like a King and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever.

All of his costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.

I was just thinking about all this and suddenly it hit me like a brick ........

I think my dog is a Member of Parliament!

Dearest Kylo Wolfie, you were such an integral part of our fammunity. You will be sorely missed by Don, Puss and myself, and we are sure all those who knew your spirit join us in wishing you well on your new adventures.

 

18 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss, I've enjoyed seeing so many photos of him (and your other pets) having fun with you both in your travels. What a great life he had! ((hugs))

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  2. A beautiful post for a beautiful friend

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  3. john and i were sad to hear his. we'll never forget kylo. sending lots of love to you and don. xoxoxo

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your pooch :( <3

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  5. Thank you for sharing such a living tribute to your beautiful dog. Even having never met him I can see his spirit shining out of the photos and I feel graced by his presence. It looks like he lived a magnificent life and I am so glad he shared it with people who loved him so dearly. Blessings.

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  6. That is so sad you lost Kylo. He was such a nice dog. Never seen a big dog like him. He will be remembered.
    Love to you Carmella and Don.

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  7. Carmella, I'm so sorry to hear of Kylo's passing. However, somewhere out there in the ether, he is still exploring, still posing majestically in front of gorgeous scenery, and always, always with you and Don. xoxo

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  8. So sorry to hear about the passing of Kyky.My neighbour has a German-shepherd-Husky mixture too,who looks exactly like Kyky.

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  9. So sorry to hear of your loss. I know how it feels to lose a beloved pet. Hugs and well wishes to you both.

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  10. Kylo say HI to our Nikki for us, you cant miss her she is the sexiest husky with liquid brown eyes and silver fur. She will be with a large and noble black dog named tahoe and a very irritating little brown and white jack russel named Kiia. they are good company all and will gladly show you around over the rainbow bridge. Dont worry about your humans we will watch out for them for you. hugs to you Carmella and don and puss

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  11. Christine S says: I send love and hugs to you as I understand the loss of Kylo. What a beautiful and wonderful companion. Please take comfort in knowing how happy he was with you and the full life he had. We don't have our furry family members long, do we! Not long enough, but 100 years would not be long enough. Also, I wanted to thank you for your posts and recipes you share. I don't post much on blogs, but had to thank you for the absolutely delicious dried kale chip recipe you shared a while back. They are a regular in our home.

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  12. This post had me in tears! I lost my best feline friend a few years back. He was much too young and taken from us way too quickly. Nowadays with two young dogs and and the most mellow of cats I live each day with them to the fullest because who knows what time may bring.
    I read your nomadic wanderings around the US with great enthusiasm. I was always amazed at how well your animal companions seemed to take the journeying. Kylo seemed such a bighearted soul, and posed so well for photos. I'm sure he still wanders in the woods still, dancing off sunbeams and riding the changing winds.
    My condolences to you and your family.

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  13. Sending you peace during this time. What a wonderful life Kyky had with your beautiful family.

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  14. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful majestic dog. I loved reading about him and seeing his picture, he was a beautiful creature. Rest in peace Kylo.

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  15. What a beautiful beautiful post!
    Thank you for sharing your adventures with Kylo, what a wonderful being.
    Sending peaceful thoughts your way...

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  16. Oh I am so sorry to here about kylo passing. How is puss doing?
    Wishing the best for you and your family.

    Much care and love
    Rhonda D

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  17. I don't know how I missed this post, but I'm just ready it now. I had a beautiful husky that looked like King Kylo, his name was King. The first of many animals I've shared my life with over 35 years, and tho it's very difficult to let go, I cherish every memory of our time together. I know you and Don are doing the same. The pictures are beautiful, tho no Alaskan! ;-). I rescue cats now, 10 presently, and one tortie like your Puss. Ms Laura is in my lap as I write, her fav place a warm lap. Many blessings to you and Don, Marty

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