Dee joined Pit Bull Talk in 2006 and introduced us to her dog, Kato, who was a older pit-bull rescue. Dee's sister had found Kato in the local SPCA full of cuts, and in a padded cell just so he wouldn't hurt himself (in his anxiety, he had already hung himself once). Her sister brought him to Dee's house, where he immediately ran into Dee's arms...he had found his forever home.
In August, 2007, he was coughing like he had something stuck in his throat. Dee went over and took Kato's collar off and realized his lymphs were grossly enlarged. A few days later, Kato was diagnosed with lymphoma. He started chemotherapy shortly after that.
Dee and Kato fought the lymphoma for two and a half years. Even as other members' dogs were dying of the same, Dee tried to stay positive and kept fighting. Members of Pit Bull Talk rejoiced in their triumphs, and cried with their setbacks.
However, it was no doubt that their devotion and love for each other kept Kato going as long as he did. He was fighting the battle, but she was his support.
After being in remission, Kato relapsed and started to go downhill just a couple of months ago. Dee knew the end was near, but worked hard to make the last few months as comfortable as possible for Kato. Despite knowing that the end was near, Dee continued to stay positive, and enjoy every single moment with Kato. She has served as an inspiration to so many on that other board (including me) simply because she stayed strong even when the odds were against them. She never gave up...
Sadly, this morning, I received that news that Dee made the final and kindest decision for Kato: she said goodbye to him. Please keep Dee in your thoughts and prayers in her time of mourning. And please keep Kato in your thoughts and your prayers that he is now free from pain and cancer over the Rainbow Bridge.
