8 State Hurricane Kate

One of the best ways to get to know me is through the dogs in my life, so I decided to introduce myself through my relationships with them.

Katrina rescue dog Kate taught me that an old lost beaten down girl who survived a Louisiana hurricane and flood and was displaced halfway across the country could adapt. It wasn’t easy–everything was different–but she carried on. She taught me that starting over when you’re perhaps past the prime of your life isn’t easy, but you can do it, and you can do it with dignity and heart. She reminded me how important it is to socialize puppies and expose them to all kinds of different experiences when they’re young. A dog who hasn’t had those experiences has a much harder time with new things as an adult. After Hurricane Katrina, I had to ask for help for Kate and she led me to many new friends. She showed me that friends from all over the country and even the world will come forward to help when I need them. She also took me to new intuitive and spiritual depths and introduced me to animal communication in a way that I hadn’t known before.

Kate

The only red heeler puppy for miles, Australian Cattle Dog Bandit found me at the vet clinic, just minutes after my old red heeler mix Rusty had passed on. Bandit taught me that sometimes the best friends will find you when you least expect them to, and that paying attention to them is important. Jump on a good opportunity when you see it because life is too short and you may not get another chance. A 55 pound dog who can move a herd of cattle, Bandit showed me that attitude is everything. He also taught me to be a leader, because (bred to herd cattle) he is a ‘lead or get out of the way’ kind of guy. I had to step up to maintain order in our household! As a puppy, Bandit came with his own rubber chicken. I used to think that he waved the rubber chicken at me when I was trying to work because he wanted to play. But then I realized that he did it because he knew that *I* needed to play. He knows me so well. I call him my recreation director!

Chase taught me that another man’s trash could be my treasure. My friend Sarah of Lost Fantasy Animal Rescue in Virginia, who I met in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina caring for rescued animals, rescued Chase from a man who was going to shoot him for chasing sheep. Chase is the sweetest, handsomest, most sensitive dog who is so worried about making a mistake, because he knows that a mistake could have cost him his life. Chase trusts me now and we have learned to work together to herd sheep and ducks so he can express this wonderful talent without fearing for his life. He taught me that you can start over again and you can recover from abuse and violence to be who you were meant to be. Chase is a very loving dog who loves to meet people at book events and would probably like to be a greeter at Wal-Mart!

Cayenne taught me that a dog who’s afraid of her own shadow can eventually bond to a person. Abandoned in the Tennessee wilderness with her very sick young littermates, Cay lost her mother too soon and struggled to survive puppyhood. She and her littermates were rescued by caring people who nursed them back to health, but she was afraid and had never bonded to a person. With time and patience and love, this dog who once cowered in the back of her travel crate, needing two people to pull her out, learned to smile and be happy, and run up to a person to be petted. She’s wiggly and joyful now, and seeks attention from my friends. Cayenne taught me to be patient and that the waiting is worthwhile. She loves me now, and fully participates in life. That is one of my greatest accomplishments.

Jenny, Chase, Cayenne, and Bandit

Kate, Bandit, Chase, and Cayenne taught me to live more in the moment and appreciate our time together each day. For our time together is much too short.

Jenny Pavlovic is the author of 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog and the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book, and a contributing author of Dogs & the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing and Inspiration. She founded the 8 State Kate Press, LLC and donates a portion of book proceeds through the 8 State Kate Fund to help animals in need (more info at www.8statekate.net). Jenny is working on her third book, for kids from 1 to 100. It includes cartoon cattle dogs and rubber chickens, and reminds us to tune in to nature and the animals in our lives.