Five years gone -- wow! It seems like just yesterday that Geoff and I carried you up the little hill so that you could stand where our house was going to be built, looking out over the lake. But that was eleven years ago. Some memories last forever, like pretty much all the memories of you.

As I get older I understand Katie and her foibles so much better, and I regret that I might not have been sufficiently patient and kind to her when she lived with me. Because we had outside help, and I had to go to work, we had to get her up at 7:00 every morning, and many was the day when she fought to keep the covers over her. I now totally sympathize! I think about her a lot these days and constantly wish I could talk to her.

I did not know one could go on missing a person long after their physical presence was gone from the face of the earth. It does not seem possible that she is not still in some little house, surrounded by a Heath-Robinson fence, full of goats and dogs, somewhere near a patch of desert somewhere. Katie, my mind is full of memories of you and me doing ridiculous things together and laughing ourselves silly. These will only die when I myself join you somewhere under a dogwood tree or in the woods.

Katie's final dog wasn't a Cavalier, but a scrawny little rescue she called Patitas. He was part Maltese, part a bunch of other breeds. He had a nasty habit of biting Katie occasionally and drawing blood; he did the same with Sara after Katie died. Sara says it was because he was quite deaf and was easily startled when sleeping -- upon which he would snap at the startler. But when he wasn't biting, he was a friendly little fellow. Patitas has been wth Sara since Katie left this mortal coil, but yesterday he, too, crossed the rainbow bridge. Sara will obviously miss him as he was her last direct link with Katie. But the good part is that if Katie's soul is where we think it might be -- see the Will Rogers quote above -- then she and Patitas are back together again. Should be quite the crowd.

Katie Eldred was a dear friend of my mother since the 70's, both from England and had such a love for Cavalier King Charles Spanials. Katie helped with my mothers's first litter, helping in picking the stud and grading the puppies. My mum always respected Katie's hounesty. Katie was a lovely lady full of confidence and humor. I remember her fondly.

I have written the story of the first part of Katie Jean's life. If anyone would like a .pdf copy, please email me at canadagoose.sara@outlook.com

Katie was my mother. We were always very close and as every year goes by I miss her terribly. I keep seeing her in my reflection in shop windows as I pass by. As I grow older myself I appreciate her quirks and foibles so much more. Half my memories reside in her head, and no-one else's (except mine, of course.) I regret that I did not get her to tell her stories and verify facts about our childhoods, before it became impossible for her to remember. She was, as my brother Revett said above, one helluva good role model. She never tied me to her apron strings but always encouraged me to stand on my own two feet and 'do my own thing,' and she stood by me staunchly when things sometimes went sideways. She sacrificed to give us all the best education in the UK, which - with her unconditional (and undemonstrative!) love has enabled us all to become successful adults. However, in the pecking order of the household we kids always knew that we came AFTER the dogs!

Katie was my aunt but I never met her. I wish I had because she might have disciplined our totally disobedient King Charles spaniel. He was called George acquired by my wife as a puppy from Harrods store in London. She adored him and spoilt him rotten. On walks he would go off sniffing into bushes, deaf to calls. I reasoned with Maril, my eventual wife, that calling and calling says we are here dear George. He once dived down a hole under an old tree in the woods and stayed there ignoring calls for so long that Maril had to leave us to fetch her daughter from school. I put my theory to the test and remained silent hiding below a bank. Sure enough he became concerned at our absence and came out, spied me and ran back to the hole but not fast enough, I caught his back legs. He lived to a fair age, had several small strokes and eventually didn’t come home. Next day I found his body in long grass and buried him in a quiet corner.

I had the honor of meeting Katie at my very first Cavalier show. Through the years I watched her show large breeds at all breed shows as well as our Cavaliers. I cherish the time that I was able to spend with her and learn about the early years of Cavaliers in England. We all knew that this day would eventually come it does for all of us but it does not make it easy. We have lost a true matriarch of our breed. She will live in our memories and our hearts. You will be missed Katie

An amazing, feisty lady. Feel privileged to have known her. 102 is a great achievement; well done, Katie. You made an impact on my and many others' lives and will be missed. Sorry I didn’t win when I showed your dog... Remembered with love. Sympathy to Sara, Revett and Geoff.

Katie was always my favourite aunt. As a child, I visited her house near Newbury, Berkshire, UK, many times. I knew her then as Auntie Jean. From childhood I remember her as tall, slim and very elegant, even though always surrounded by dogs, goats and horses. Her love of animals was always evident, a compassion which was shared by my mother Daphne (her sister), and which has been passed down through the generations. In line with her deep feeling for animals, Katie was vegetarian for most of her life, a dedication which has enriched my own family, and my grandson, here in Australia.
With Amice Pitt, Daphne Murray, and several others, Katie was a pioneer in the re-establishment of the breed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the 1930's to 1950's in Britain. When Katie visited Australia for Victoria's wedding in 1998, and stayed with me, her arrival was greeted with great excitement by all the breeders in Australia, many of whom met together to seek her advice and exhibit their dogs.
Daphne was called "Granny O'Puppies" by her grandchildren. When her eldest grandchild heard of Katie's passing, she said: "Maybe Granny O'Puppies now has another pair of hands to help with all our beloved pets". I can imagine Katie and Daphne surrounded by troupes of all the Cavaliers they ever knew, of all sizes, shapes and colours, and all the children they loved, blissfully happy......
Like her own aunt, Helen Chapman (who also lived to 102 years), Katie lived a very long and extremely full life, and was very well cared for in her later years. She had raised a very appreciative family. Katie was a legend.

We have lost a lady most devoted to the continued high standard of the Cavalier. I hope those who have predeceased her will be waiting to greet her at the Rainbow Bridge. Brigitte Falch-Munro

Hi Sara, So sorry to hear your sad news, 102 is a good age. We met Katie when we visited BC with Chris & Mel way back in Dec 2007. We send you all our love, always, thinking of you, as we often do, I take great pleasure in reminding William & Rupert that they've got another grandmother in Canada. I am pleased they were both able to visit and meet Katie - we have a wonderful picture of you all from that visit. Love to all your family over in BC.
Denise & Roy Chandler x

My husband Steve and I were blessed to have met Katie on a few occasions. The most memorable time for us was during a very special holiday in Canada.  It was our Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1999 and we celebrated with this trip. We arranged to visit Katie at her home as we travelled through to Vancouver. We had lunch with her and spent a few hours chatting Cavaliers. She shared stories of her involvement with the breed and the history behind it. She possessed an incredible spirit of adventure, still longing to take a motor home and go travelling at that time, but accepting the concern this may give her loving family. She was so kind to us ‘novices’ in the breed and so generous with her time. We will always remember Katie for her warmth and all that she shared with us through the internet as well as in person. Rest in Peace Katie, reunited with your dogs, family and many friends who have gone before you. 
Marian and Steve Mynott xxx

A twinkling eye, a sharp wit, an adventurous spirit, a character of determination, a teacher who taught with facts to those patient enough to listen and a spirit and energy she diffused so easily. That is how I will remember Katie. That, and rubber boots, on the field of Bucks County kennel club with a soft rain on early mornings or grass heavy with dew when others panicked about wet grass she stood there and announced her dogs had good feet and straight bone no worry about the furnishings hiding faults, and praise for a dog of my breeding she found most worthy. Many thanks to her family for allowing us access , like you had much choice in the matter , truly a legend as much as she did not find herself worthy of that title. Godspeed Katie!

Sometimes in life there are people, icons really...that you think will live forever...Katie was one of those rare people. I will treasure meeting her at the National in Washington many years ago. Her love and dedication to our Cavaliers will go on. Thank you Katie and may you enjoy your loved ones on the other sidexxx

I met Katie when I travelled to Canadian Cavalier Club shows in the early 90’s just before the American Kennel Club enabled the breed to gain full recognition in the Toy Group. She and I corresponded from time to time over the years since then, and we shared litter brothers - Bobby Two and Bayberry - from Jeanie Montford (Elvenhome) . I was able to ask her about some of the early colorful UK Club members’ backgrounds and personalities. I treasure that I knew her personally. I am blessed.

For many years she has guided us with everything related to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, her beloved breed. I had the pleasure of meeting Katie at the Cavalier Specialties and sharing stories and she was always kind and bestowed her knowledge to everyone she met. A great loss to everyone who knew her. Godspeed Katie, we will miss you dearly.

My mother-in-law, Katie Eldred, at 102 departed this earth today to go play with all of her dogs on the Rainbow Bridge. I have many memories of Katie over the years. She was an incredibly strong woman, and headstrong, which I love her for. ;o) She knew what she wanted. She loved her dogs, her cats, and birds. She helped me through a difficult time with our dog, Sophie, when she developed Addison's Disease and guided me to a site that not only kept her alive but also where Sophie's experience was also able to help others. She gave me confidence when I decided to start dremeling Sophie's nails - little things. She was with us on my Mom's last vacation to Turks and Caicos. So many little things that mean so much. You will be missed more than you know, Katie.

I have known of "Katie" for 30 years but did not have the pleasure of speaking to her until 2009. At the youthful age of 92 she called me and sent many correspondence as she built an entire Cavalier Club Website. I helped only a tiny bit. Every detail as she wanted it. She is truly an inspiration. What an amazing life and an amazing woman.

I met Katie at a Cavalier specialty 20 -30 years ago. When she stopped attending shows, I enjoyed reading her posts on the Cavalier list. Without her, the breed would not be where it is today.