It was 9:00 PM on Saturday May 24, 2014 when we rolled the large travel crate out of the arrival terminal at San Francisco International Airport. I had been waiting anxiously for this evening for almost two months. We rolled the crate into an elevator and found our way to the outdoor parking lot for a few last minute details before taking Kali home to Livermore. This was the beginning of a life changing event not only for me for me but also for Kali who had traveled all the way from Taiwan and into my arms. Her life became mine, and mine became hers. Neither of us would ever be the same! New readers can learn more about the origins of Golden Kali here.
As we were preparing to drive home to Livermore a volunteer from the local rescue group, True Love Rescue, placed a scarf around Kali’s neck. The scarf was red, white, and blue with patterns of stars and stripes. A fitting symbol for Kali now that she was an American Girl. The scarf became an immediate and special symbol of Kali’s journey, and of her emerging life in America.
That was Memorial weekend 2014. Kali wore the scarf for the rest of the weekend until I took it off and tied it onto her crate. She wore it again on Fourth of July and then it went into a drawer. Kali and I are big fans of tradition, Since that first Fourth Of July together, and for the past nine years, I only take the scarf out on Fourth of July for Kali to wear for the day.
Except Kali is not with us anymore. This is the second “4th” since Kali crossed the bridge. So like last year, and for hopefully many more years to come, her “little” sister Kloe will “carry the torch” and carry on the tradition of wearing the Very Special Scarf,. But only on the Fourth Of July.
Golden Kali 
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What a lovely tribute to a wonderful dog! Kali will always be in your hearts…..
Aww, such a precious custom and one that binds and connects the present to the past.
Kali, was, is, and will always be the glue that holds the fabric of our pack together.
💙
Ah, traditions. They are wonderful means to remembering wonderful events. And I love Kali’s very special scarf! Sam and I started the tradition of taking Callie and Shadow for day trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains every fall to see the leaves change their colors; but then Ducky came along and we had to stop because there wasn’t enough room on the back seat for all three of them. I remember those days fondly. But we made new memories as the years marched on. No real traditions per sè, but wonderful memories just the same. Now that it’s just the Z Kids and me, I do what I can to make us all happy and healthy. We have the one tradition that has carried forward from Callie’s later puppy months – letting the dogs sleep on the bed. Though most nights they all preferred the cooler floor, we did at times wake up to at least one of them snuggling in between us. With Sam gone ahead, Zen has made Sam’s pillow his own. Zoey tries to steal that coveted spot though; and I usually wake up to her snuggled up to me like a spoon.
Tradition is good. Glad to know you and your fur babies have some!
Such are the memories and subsequent traditions. Kali may have gone, but she will never be forgotten. Who knows what awaits us when we reach the end of our journey, but I really hope that a reunion in some form, with those who were dear to us in our life, presents itself.
Hi Colin. Yep, who knows. But as long as there are dogs there I’ll be ok with it.