Kali came to America from Taiwan wearing a black Martingale type collar. It was the only collar she ever wore once she joined founded our pack. I never felt the need to replace it. Why would I? It was sturdy and practical. And it was also a subtle representation of Kali’s journey to America. I am not sure if it was a collar she wore the entire time she was in rehab in Taiwan. or if it was put on her as she was placed into her crate and loaded onto the plane. Either way it was special to Kali and I and she wore it until the day she crossed over The Bridge. I was also never one to accessorize my girls with bling; whether it be fancy or colorful collars, leashes, or (gasp) sweaters.

Now having said all that, Kloe did have several different collars with colorful patterns. But Kloe was Holly’s Puppy. Holly drove the decision to adopt her. She chose Kloe from the litter of three puppies ⁽¹⁾ , and she assumed main responsibility for training and early development. If it had been up to me I would have chosen a black martingale collar for Kloe and that would have been it. But this was Holly’s girl and Holly likes colors. Similarly, Koda also wore colorful collars. Again, a black Martingale would have been my choice but I again deferred to Holly. So Koda wore a variety of new and hand me down collars that Kloe wore as a puppy. ⁽²⁾

A few weeks ago I was going through some old collars (imagine that) and other dog tack and items to donate. In that box I found Kali’s collar. That same black Martingale she wore every day until the day she crossed the bridge. I had not seen it since then. I was immediately taken back. I put the collar to my nose hoping that it still held Kali’s scent. There was a very small tuft of Kali’s blond hair stuck on the collar. I stroked that tuft lovingly.

The collar was a present from the past. A present full of memories and love. I don’t remember why we stored it away versus placing it in a place of honor or near her box of ashes. In retrospect I am glad we didn’t because it made finding it three plus years later that much more special.

Kali’s collar is now draped on the side of one of my favorite photos of her that. have in my office. I think it will stay there forever. It will always be a special and prized possession; an artifact of Kali’s journey to me and with me.

Kali’s Collar

Footnotes

⁽¹⁾ True Love Rescue. Kloe and Koda were adopted through the same rescue group that Kali came from. That group is True Love Rescue (TLR). TLR rescues primarily Golden Retrievers and partners with a group in Taiwan to bring these Goldens to America and into the arms and hearts of responsible and committed families. Shortly before Kloe was adopted, TLR In addition to dogs from Taiwan, began rescuing puppies from back yard breeders who are only in it for the money and sometimes keeps the puppies and their mother in less than desirable living conditions. TLR will buy entire litters of puppies to and place them with committed families. They do great work and have rescued and placed hundreds of dogs over the years.

⁽²⁾ Collar Incident. Kloe and Koda have not worn collars for many years now. Several years ago we had a major scare. It was a summer night and we were sitting out in the back at dusk. Our lighting at the the time was not very good and we sat in mostly darkness. Kloe and Koda were running around and playing. They sometimes – especially back then – play rough. All of a sudden we hear that high yip that dogs make when they are in pain. We ran in the dark to where they were playing and found that Kloe’s collar still around her neck, had somehow got wrapped around Koda’s jaw. The collar was in a figure 8 shape with half of it around Koda’s jaw and the other half still around Kloe’s neck and very very tight. Both girls were scared and probably in a bit of pain. The collar was so tightly wrapped we thought we would have to cut if off. But that would mean getting scissors or a very sharp knife very close to Kloe’s flesh. Fortunately the collar that Kloe was wearing (a very colorful one of course) was a flat collar with a clip. But that clip was on the part of the collar that was wrapped so tightly around Koda’s Jaw. As Holly and I navigated this very scary and dangerous situation the girls sat very still and quiet seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation. I stayed holding the girls while Holly ran to get scissors. We had to try something.

As carefully as she could Holly got the scissors under the collar that was wrapped tightly around Kloe’s neck. She was breathing but it was so tight we were scared she might not be for long. In both of our minds Holly and I thought, without saying to each other, that we may lose one or both of our precious girls if we don’t do something quick. We tried using the scissors to make a cut but those collars are very tough and it was not going well. With a little bit of luck, tenacity, and a lot of love Holly worked her fingers into the bottom of Koda’s jaw and was able to unclip the collar. Whew!

The collar was set free! Holly was crying. I sat there stunned and so grateful that we averted a potentially life threatening situation. As for the girls they immediately ran off and contued their play as if nothing had happened!

So yeah, Kloe and Koda no longer wear collars.