Today I lost my sweet girl Koray. She died in the arms of the techs at Copper Crown Clinic. They tried to save her but she was too sick. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Corley and Dr. Ashlyn(Guillot) and the staff. The love that they gave my big girl was palpable. I will forever be grateful that she died with friends and they were there to send her across the Rainbow Bridge, For those few who don't know her let me introduce you to her.
I first became aware of Anatolian Shepherds when a face book friend, Paula Dempsey got a female and named her Melania. I became a daily visitor to her site just to see new pictures. I was fascinated with the breed. I had never even heard of them prior to Paula. I frequently looked up sites to see pictures of puppies and adults. I had my own dogs and really could not add another to the brood. After I lost Milo I contacted Paula and she directed me to Debi Grunnah. I called some time ago and we talked and I told her that while I was not ready to have a new dog that it was my goal to make my next an Anatolian. I didn't care the sex or the age. I just knew that I wanted one of those beautiful dogs. She told me that I would need a big enough space for the dog to exercise and it needed to be fenced. I tucked away that information working towards that goal. Stan died May of 2019 and I remember a few months later sending her a video of my backyard questioning if it was big enough. I had the fence put in in October and let her know that I was ready. I believed that I would get the dog made just for me. She called me about an older female that had been loved for 8 years by her owner who had suddenly died and the spouse was being placed in a retirement center and could not take her. I remember asking her if I needed to get a goat or a sheep so that she would have something to do. Debi assured me she just needed love and attention. I planned to meet her the end of December after our trip to Disney World. On December 31 I met her. I was smitten. She was from Canada bred by Correna Kelly. She was sent to her new home as a puppy. I was her second owner. She was obviously well loved and socialized. Debi Grunnah sent me home with leashes, food, information and warned me about their sensitivity to medications and to be very careful. I pestered Debi a lot. When I was at the vets for shots and her first exam. I called to make sure she was getting the right things, I know I probably frustrated Dr. Ashlyn, a lot. But she put up with me. Koray settled in to my home and put up with Peanut and all my grandkids. My visitors all loved her. Desiree Fairley said that Koray reminded her of a plush animal. Rebekah called her Eeyore. She would go in the back yard with the grandkids and play. She did not look or act her age. She was mindful of the fence and if someone passed the outside of the fence she placed herself between the fence and the kids. Cookie the big German Shepard that lives across the street became her fence friend with her owner Maria. Oh my God did Koray love Maria. She would be almost as ecstatic at seeing the grandkids as she was Maria. Maria was truly her favorite. We talked about letting Cookie and Koray play in the fence together but never got around to doing so and now it's too late.
Koray was an affable dog who went from plush toy to guard dog in seconds. Nothing escaped her eyes and ears. She made me feel safe. She was so quirky in her ways. She would sit in front of me and bark, and bark again. She either wanted out or food. When Peanut would get in Koray's bed Koray would walk over and just stare at her. She never growled or do anything except stare at her. Peanut would eventually get up. This was repeated at least once a day. Yesterday I found Peanut laying beside Koray's bed. I cried. The hair. Oh my goodness the HAIR. I needed to sweep at least once a day if not more. Since she has been in the hospital I had not swept. I came home today and turned on the sweeper. I got half way thru and was crying so hard I had to quit. I feel like I am getting rid of her.
Peanut was the one who alerted me to Koray's distress. I had, 24 hours prior, the end of the house treated with Delta Dust by the exterminator. I was assured that it was safe and indeed I looked it up and it was safe for pets. Koray developed an allergic reaction and had collapsed at the bottom of the steps at 8pm Friday night. Peanut went nuts barking at the door and when I opened it up she would not come in and looked to her right and kept barking. I found her and was able to get her in but she was ataxic and her respiratory rate was over 100. I called my friend Kay McGuire, DVM and she told me to get her to the emergency center immediately. Michael and Maria Felton came over and carried her to the car because she could not walk. She was not treated for an allergic reaction for the first 2 days and eventually by the time my own Vet opened up was in DIC. Dr. Corley wanted to send her to the emergency clinic in Mandeville, La. I knew the probable outcome and I so trust Dr.s Corley and Ashlyn that I declined and wanted her home so that I could see her. She was doing better, her swelling was down and she ate some pumpkin and yogurt last night and was responsive. I was planning on bringing Peanut by today or tomorrow to visit. I am having her cremated and will take her to Becky's farm and plant a tree.
I know that her previous owner who loved her for 8 years before me is enjoying a reunion with her beloved Koray. I just hope when its my time she will to come to me for a pat.
My life was so much richer with Koray. She was my great gift and I was honored to be her human for the last 9 months. I wanted more time. God speed Koray you are forever in my heart.
