Fifteen years ago, a life was born, and it’s hard to believe it’s coming to an end today. When a dog or cat moves into our lives, the bond that develops becomes so powerful. I have been fortunate to have dogs that live very long lives. Windy lived to be almost 17. My first dog, Jamie, a sheltie, lived to almost 16 years old. And now, Stormy has had such a great long life.
It is with great sadness that I have to explain that we made the decision, and Stormy the Weather Dog is moving over the rainbow bridge. Making this decision for her has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. I am losing my best friend, an incredible dog that has brought so much joy and taught me so many lessons of unconditional love.
Meeting Stormy
Stormy was born October 25, 2000. She has had the most incredible almost 15 years of life. I first met her when she was around 9 weeks old in the first week of 2001 when I went to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City to shoot a commercial for the first annual Pet Telethon.
My dog Windy and I were sitting there to promote the telethon, and they brought out this dog and some cats to help out with the commercial. Stormy was yapping in a cage in the background. We pulled her out of the cage, and she sat there in my lap, next to Windy, and it was love at first sight.
We adopted her and brought her home the next day. She was part of a litter of puppies that was dropped off, which included Johann and Peyton. She actually was able to meet up and play with her sister and brother throughout their lives.
Stormy’s life
Stormy was in the first fifteen pet telethons and so much more. She went to around 500 schools and public appearances in her working life, performing tricks and entertaining.
Stormy loved to swim, chase squirrels, and her favorite thing may have been going on car rides. I took her almost everywhere with me. She came to work at 41 Action News almost every Friday and loved doing her tricks in the chair on the news set.
She learned so much from Windy, and then she passed along her knowledge to Breezy, and now Sunny. She even met Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, who was in town for an event.
We finally retired Stormy from her visits to the station and public appearances, with her last public appearance being at the Fur Ball benefiting Wayside Waifs last May.
In the past few months, her life has become quite difficult, and very recently she began falling and losing her balance while eating. Many of you may have faced this decision or are about to. It is a very personal decision that each of us has to make on our own. It is finally time to say goodbye to my best friend. And, even on her last day, she was able to give us kisses. This is such a tough time, and I am hurting right now.
Keeping the memories
I am going to miss her so much. And, I really feel for Breezy, who is almost 10 years old herself. Breezy would grab her collar every time we would go for a ride. A loving grab, even a few days ago she did this. I know Breezy on some level is going to miss her, and she seems to understand what is going on. Sunny seems to know too.
We will miss you Stormy! I LOVED YOU SO MUCH! Thank you for the unconditional love you provided for 15 years!
If you would like to donate in her memory, her favorite charities include where she and Breezy were adopted, The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, and Wayside Waifs, where Sunny was adopted.
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Gary Lezak can be reached at gary.lezak@kshb.com.
