Deb Reinhart and Jim Coombes got their dog Katie had not had a dog for some time, looked at a variety of breeds and decided on a Chesapeake Retriever. "At that time there weren't many west coast breeders," said Reinhart and I was traveling back and forth to Texas but there was a breeder in Illinois so I thought, 'Hey we'll just stop the plane in Illinois, look at the pups and the next time through, pick one up."

She was looking for a "sedge" meaning the rust color. Katie is now 13 years old.

Expressing her faith Reinhart said, "Jesus has shown me what to do to take care of her. She has some Methasone resistant skin problems and has been through a lot of medical problems and I've been there with her." Reinhart said Katie is very patient to have gone through all her issues.

At 13 Katie's hearing is not as good as it once was, nor is her sight. "My husband came home from a job and came in about 10 at night. She was sleeping in the living room and he walked in and slammed the door and she didn't hear and it wasn't until I went and woke her up and said, 'Jim, Jim Jim' then she looked in the kitchen but couldn't see him because he was standing under the bright light but as soon as she walked into the kitchen, her nose started going and she got all excited, 'Dad's home!"

Reinhart explained that Katie doesn't really bark but instead, 'Roo Roos' when she wants something to eat or wants to go outside.

Living to age 13 and beyond means for a dog, sometimes your canine friends have passed on. As for cats, "I put her in the yard and I thought there were no cats. But one of them came out and swatted her right across the nose first thing so she tolerates cats but she'd just as soon they not be there."

Katie gets a home made diet of lamb (sometimes venison when it's available) and milk bone treats.

Local trainer Nancy Hanson was her Kindergarten and novice obedience instructor. Katie still sits on command even though, "she's had her knee rebuilt," said Reinhart.

While Katie is a walker, she doesn't want to walk in Lincoln Park. "If I put her in the car and we hop out she will walk most anywhere but it's kind of like when she was a puppy and she didn't want to leave home and going to Lincoln Park meant leaving home.

Katie also has an interesting habit of always trying to "build a nest" wherever she goes. "She paws or scratches at the ground," said Reinhart.

How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:

Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.

Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.