Three years went by. Kaya began to have health problems. She was getting lame, and losing control of her bladder. Mom and Dad talked frequently about the day that they would have to decide to help her on. Then one cold March night when Mom let them out before bed, when she went to get them in, she found Kaya laying in the garage. She had voided herself and was obviously in distress. Mom awoke Dad, then she sat on Kaya's bed holding her in her arms, telling her what a good girl she had always been while she took her last breath. We knew that she was now pain free, but now we hurt. When we buried her the next day, Tammy was balistic, trying to get at her old friend, and many tears were shed.

Five months later, one day Tammy didn't look right. She was very lethargic and we rushed her to the vet. He looked very concerned and we left her for tests. The phone call that came next was devastating. He had performed emergency surgery, she had an inoperable tumor that had burst in her, and she was gone. Mom went almost over the edge in her grief that time. Tammy was only six, and the last pet in the house. Things were very sad.

A short time later, Mom realized that she could not exist there without another dog. Dad worked long hours, and she was lonely. They began to hunt for another Golden. They eventually found a little blond girl that they hoped would bring better luck to their household. They named her "New Sunshine Thia". A year later, Dad brought home a tiny bob tail kitten to keep her company. Mittens and Thia became fast friends.

And Mittens...curious?

Welcome Thia!

One day,Thia met a gorgeous male. As arranged with the humans, she obliged and he became her husband. The day she produced her litter was very emotional. Complications in the delivery led to three of eight pups being stillborn. One tiny female struggled for two days, then we lost her also. We had four healthy pups left, three males and one female. We decided to keep the little female and that is how Tessie came into our family.

As of this writing, Thia is 11 years old. She really has been our "New Sunshine".We almost lost her two years ago, and she is still ailing, but is always there with a kiss and a wag anytime we look at her. Her time is running out with us, but she has given us 11 wonderful happy years, turning the sad beginning to our married lives into a Golden Story. She is a special girl and I know that C.P., Kaya, Trixie and Tammy will all take wonderful care of her when she goes to the Bridge and awaits to be reunited with us, for she is only happy when next to my side.

Thank you Thia...we love you!

Wednesday, August 23, 2000, Thia crossed to the Bridge.

She had kisses.....sweeter than wine.