Kathy’s family often tell stories of her dressed sweetly in little sundresses but always covered head to foot in hair from the numerous outdoor cats that lived on the family’s property in Meridian, Idaho.  She loved storybooks but only the ones about animals and fervently wished she lived on a farm.  One of the most treasured gifts she ever received was a set of encyclopedias called Animals of The World.  She would spend hours pouring through the pages looking at the pictures and memorizing many of the amazing traits of each animal.  She has those well worn books to this day.  Kathy dreamed of being a veterinarian when she grew up.

Kathy’s anti-pet childhood home made her yearning for pets of her own nearly unbearable.  Kathy was very adept at taming feral kittens which her family then reluctantly fed.  During the summer of her 12th year, Kathy won an “invisible dog” (leash with wire running down it attached to a stiff dog harness) at the fair.  After months of her walking that around the neighborhood, her parents were finally convinced (shamed) by neighbors into letting her have a dog of her own.  When Kathy moved out and on her own, the pet floodgates opened.  Over the years her pets have included, numerous cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, birds, rats, mice, chinchillas, sugar gliders, spiny mice, dormice, possums, hedgehogs, snakes, lizards, fish, sheep, pygmy goats and horses.  She and her daughter raised and showed both rabbits and guinea pigs for many years. 

In March of 2000, Kathy took a job in the social services sector and moved with her spouse and youngest daughter to Whatcom County.  The move was a serious undertaking considering it included three dogs, a cat, two Mourning Doves and approximately 60 purebred show rabbits.  After losing three dogs of her own starting in 2019, each of whom was cremated at Radiant Heart, Kathy joined Radiant Heart part-time. Kathy was grateful for the compassionate service she received and was looking for a way to help other grieving pet parents

Kathy has 2 adult daughters and 8 beautiful grandchildren.  She and her spouse share their home currently with 4 dogs plus 1 foster dog, a cat, 2 parrots and several tropical fish tanks.  Her hobbies include caring for her pets, baking, antiquing and buying and selling vintage toys and dolls.  

Kathy joined Radiant Heart in April 2022.