Kayla came a long way in her recovery from her early torment which resulted in broken bones, fractured jaw, missing teeth and a split skull. She learnt obedience, competed in agility and flyball and loved her tracking.Competition obedience and tracking was not possible as her early start made her wary of being too close which would not have won her any places. Agility was different, she had her freedom, she could run free.
Kayla was also the "Mascot" for the German Shepherd Display Team, excelling in her flyball demonstrations and winning the hearts of the crowds with her agility runs.
Initially she was wary of children and caution was needed but the day we did a display for the Intellectually Handicapped children was the day that all turned around.
She was marvellous, allowing cuddles, from then on she would let any child approach her (even better if they had some treats for her). Many children said they came "just to see Kayla".
As she got older she developed spondylitis of the spine and had to retire from agility but she still did her little demo's for the display team.
Her health deteriorated with recurrent pancreatitis which caused gastric problems and inflammatory Bowel Disease. She passed away due to a hypothalamic tumour which caused her system to mimic those of Cushing's Disease.. I promised her that her final days would not be of suffering, like her beginning was, so on the 2nd July 2003, I loved her enough to let her go.
Rest in peace my precious one until we meet again. |
