Gypsy

November 27 2009- March 17- 2024

Gypsy, Gypsina, Special Lady was born November 27, 2009 in Surrey, British Columbia.
She was one of 4 Siberian sheltie mix puppies born in her litter. Gypsy had a pending adoption that fell through, and this would be the ultimate blessing for not only Gypsy, but also for Katerina.

When looking to adopt, Katerina had desperately searched high and low for her future fur-panion. As a little girl Katerina’s childhood dog hero, was the “littlest Hobo”. One day a friend showed her an ad displaying, the sweetest face with two different coloured eyes and she just knew, this was the one. Her sister, Jolana went and agreed to meet this dog and with much reluctance on the phone, she accepted the e transfer and bought her sister a dog that she had yet to meet. Katerina didn’t need to meet Gypsy to know that she was about to win the Dog lottery the next 14.25 years.

Thank you to Jolana and Stephanie for Caring for her needs until she came home.

Gypsy was destined for great things. In 2011 she passed the qualifications to become a Therapy Dog with the St. Johns Ambulance, Dog Therapy Program. Where they volunteered at a variety of seniors homes, and brought many smiles to faces young and old. And later passing the requirements in working with children. She and her handler volunteered at the pediatric ward, of the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC. Children not only loved her in the hospital, but also out as well.
Gypsy was a one-person dog and although she would interact briefly, she was always searching for her “person” to come through the door and when she did the reunion was exciting for both of them.

In her younger years Gypsy was a bit of a mischievous Houdini of sorts. Some often wondered and asked how a dog like “Gypsy” had passed the requirements to volunteer for the 4 years she did? For instance, off leash is something dogs need. Many seasons were spent at pioneer park, where she would wander off and not come back when called. There were questions like perhaps she has a hearing loss? But anyone that knew Gypsy, knew this was a selective hearing loss. She enjoyed herding other dogs like they were cattle or sheep. She also loved rolling in dead fish, duck poop eating food out of the compost, that resulted in days of abdominal discomfort. A 10:00 PM bed time walk often ended up in her sneaking her head out of her collar just to go for a run around her neighborhood. Gypsy went to doggy daycare for the first 10 years of her life. Although everyone adored her, it was quickly discovered, that she was just not the kind of dog that enjoyed a lot of social interaction. she would play a bit, but around 4:30 PM she had an internal clock that prompted her to start looking out the window for her ride home.
As dog lovers you try in all attempts to be brave and strong for the dreaded day that your pet and you depart…. But nothing can prepare you for that blanket of sadness that covers your soul when they go.

So, Gypsy…… Please remember that Katerina will miss you mingling with friends at dinner parties and eating baby carrots, the two of you both of you dipping your toes in the water of many lakes and rivers you swam in, walking on the many dirt paths and watching the sunsets with Nike on a hot summer’s night.

Gypsy loved the wind in her face, a kiss on the nose and 2 liver treats at bedtime. However, she never liked her photo taken or her feet touched and that’s ok Nike, your brother and best friend is learning to navigate his new life without you.. Its not easy but you will always live in our hearts.

Rest well sweet Gypsy, thank you for giving me the best 171 months and 19 days I could ever have.

with much love, Katerina