R.I.P. "Kadoka" - Our Family Dog: Sept. '94-Aug. '08

With appropriate apologies for dominating this infrequently-used personal blog with memorials (previously on this blog), I regret to inform of the passing of my family's first canine: Kadoka. My parents called to share that she had been laid to rest today after prolonged illness and deteriorating health.

"Kadoka" was fourteen years old.

South Dakota Roots
Shortly after graduating High School, the remaining members of my family (with Sister in college and Dad already there) packed the (ugly) green Ford Taurus, the pop-up tent trailer (yes, we were *that* family) and headed East from Vancouver, WA. Destination: Homestead, AFB, Florida.

Years later, I've blocked out most of the trip (as you can imagine) ... but one memory remains vivid: South Dakota. At the time, the State's tourism board offered cassette tapes explaining the various sites and history along Interstate 90. The "rental" was free, so we picked up a set. Along the way we learned more interesting facts about South Dakota than any of us ever thought possible. (Seriously, South Dakota?!)

Among the many factoids: The City of Kadoka, South Dakota is famous (again, we're talking South Dakota here) for it's annual International Outhouse Race (sorry couldn't find a link). After the obligatory round of jokes, puns, and amusements that would make our cassette-tape narrator proud, we collectively came to the conclusion that "Kadoka" would make a great name for our dog. (We liked the name and the story, without trying to extract any symbolism or create correlations between dogs and outhouses.)

Meanwhile, Back in "The 'Couve"
It wasn't until we (to be fair, I flew ahead) trekked back to Vancouver, WA later that Fall (having deemed the Florida experiment a humid disappointment) that we found the family's first canine. A newborn Shetland Sheepdog puppy.

Kadoka was a playful dog, happy and content. Never argued with you, always enjoying company and great with kids. Kadoka was well-traveled and has left her mark on more States than many humans can claim to visit. Kadoka is survived by her two cocker spaniel siblings and a family that misses her already.

I learned a lot from that dog... patience, appreciation, and most importantly, an extended appreciation for our 40th State.

Next time you find yourself in South Dakota (after accepting my apologies), think of Kadoka...


Yes, I'll post photos when I can find some...

Update: Thanks to a reader I'm reminded that Tom Brokaw is from South Dakota. Brokaw, as you may know, is something of a hero of mine. I watched him nightly on NBC growing up and he tops he list of "people I'd like to meet". And, for the record, I enjoyed South Dakota -- I've been there a few times... just, well, you know: a bit of a "flyover State". Ehh? ;-)