GOODBYE KAATU, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

Eight years ago Kaatu was surrendered to VOSD because he was deemed an aggressive labrador. On May 7th, 2024, this 16-year-old dog breathed his last on the land he called home for half of his life and underwent multiple transformations. On this solemn occasion, it's fitting we reminisce about Kaatu's journey and the many ways in which he touched us.

Kaatu had the face of a puppy but the heart of a tiger; yeah, he was ferocious when he first came here, he'd bite man or dog without a thought if he perceived even the slightest threat; he also engaged in petty crimes like stealing food from the kitchen. The rules didn't apply to the regal Kaatu, who was also a loner, a tendency that perhaps bespoke of his inner turmoil.

As the years rolled along, Kaatu changed quite a bit. He overcame his habit of stealing, his anger also dissipated into thin air and he stopped biting. Most remarkably, he didn't want to be alone or confined anymore; he would reach out to others, especially younger dogs, and sought freedom and open spaces. It was as if something at VOSD slowly healed him and he became ready to meet the world again and even love it.

In his final years, Kaatu developed arthritis and was barely able to walk. We put him on VOSD's joint care supplements which helped him stay mobile till the very end. He was on regular medication for his kidney and liver issues that slowed him down and he liked staying in one place but still open spaces and the need to connect with others beckoned to him... and he'd go out and hang in the garden.

We do consider it our greatest achievement, that we were able to provide Kaatu an environment that was conducive enough for him to navigate the distance between his trauma and his true self that existed before anything happened. Few are able to make that journey in their lifetime and Kaatu did it; that will always inspire us.

Even though we will sorely miss Kaatu, we are comforted by the thought that he lived a happy and fruitful life with us.

Kaatu taught us many lessons in courage, dignity and boundary-setting. But the greatest life lesson he gave us was that one must live life on their own terms, in doing so we become in sync with nature and come closest to manifesting our real beings and destinies.

Thanks Kaatu for everything, we'll remember you and will try to live by your example.