In honor of Katie Scarlett Means

I saw Katie's picture on petfinder.com in August of 2003. It was love at first sight. Something about her sweet smile captured my heart. I called the shelter to make sure she was still available and she was! So I drove down the next day to get her. She walked out all shaggy and a little skinny. After a quick sniff of my hand she looked up at me as if to say "Okay mom, let's go home!" The next six years were wonderful. Katie quickly became my best friend, shadow, protector, daughter and teacher all in one loving, furry package.

My husband and I tried to take her everywhere we could and she left little paw prints on the hearts of everyone she met. She went to antique stores, bookstores, pet stores and outdoor restaurants. She was very well traveled - from the streets of Savannah (GA) to the gardens of the Biltmore Estates she saw it all. One of our fondest memories is from our visit to Rock City in Tennessee. They have a section up on top where you can see seven states. Well Katie propped her front paws up on the rock wall to get her view of the seven states. She was like that - curious, kind, and the most loving being I've ever met.

Then on September 16-17, 2009 our world shattered. Katie became very ill and listless after supper. We rushed her to our local emergency clinic. There they found a mass in her abdomen. She needed surgery and more care than they could provide since they were strictly an overnight clinic so we moved her to a critical care clinic a little further away. She was diagnosed with a tumor called hemangiosarcoma and her chances were not good. Hemangiosarcomas are blood born tumors that are hard too find and can grow very fast. Usually by the time they are found it is too late. The tumor had ruptured and she was bleeding internally. She needed but had to be stabilized first. We asked to see her before she was taken in to surgery. We held her and said our goodbyes as best we could. Our girl put up a long, hard fight but in the end it was just too much for her. The hospital staff gave us all the time we needed with her and made a paw print for us.

Walking out that night with an empty collar was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever had to do. Then came the task of breaking the news to the people who loved her. Everyone was heartbroken. Her favorite cashier at Petsmart cried at the news. But that was the effect Katie had on people.


The last 6 months have been very difficult. I still cry sometimes. Since Katie's passing we have welcomed another furry child into our lives - a mixed breed little girl named Wendy - born the weekend after Katie's passing. She brightens our home and hearts.

After Katie's passing I longed for a way to honor her and decided a memorial pendant would be nice as I could always have her with me. I found Celebrative Art by googling memorial pendants and I was immediately drawn to their designs the best. I found the floral artwork especially appealing. I also liked the heart shape so I emailed them about combining a floral with a heart shape and they worked with me to make a wonderful custom piece of art. The heart shape symbolized Katie to me because of her loving spirit and the special place she holds in my heart. It's one of a kind just like her.


Sandi (mom) Means