At almost 14, Kate leaves a family bereft. Her furry family- Oliver, rescue Maltese, age 10, who moved here from California in 2022 with my mom, and
Chance, rescue Standard Poodle, age 3, who joined the pack in 2023 and 
and favorite rescue cat, AllieCat who was adopted in 2014
are puzzled by her abrupt departure from home base. 
However, after years of kidney issues (4 stones removed) and frequent pancreatitis, both Miniature Schnauzer diseases, her system could no longer recover as in years past. Beginning in 2012, she joined the family of Jack and Marilyn, both Standard Poodles and inserted herself as top dog! In 2019, she graciously accepted Dewey, a rambunctious Standard Poodle who joined the family after Jack passed away at age 13.
Readers may not recall that Kate was the impetus for this blog, as was started in 2012 and can be read in the post, Kate's birthday. You might wonder why the Kateandlulubell blog was paused in October 2017. My volunteer capital campaign responsibilities for the Humane Society of Erie County were taking up any spare time until the fall of 2019 when I proudly announced total donations of $500,000 and the shelter was doubled in size. I then launched into a 5 year volunteer commitment as a state officer for Ohio's P.E.O. Sisterhood!
Ending in June, 2024, as state president, I made a few more changes! I sold our destination trailer, began spending more time with my mom, now living nearby, and resumed some of my fiber interests more fully, and even did a bit of traveling! I'll keep Kate's spirit as my guiding force and attempt to resume blogging!
