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Kara was officially "Ilandwhyte Krystal Kyra". She was a hefty 71 pounds (32.25 Kg) of energy and affection. She was born in October, 1996. Her lineage included a number of large American dogs, which accounted for her rather substantial size for a Samoyed. She came to us in September 1997 in need of a home that could provide love and training. She was half-wild, lacking in socialization and had never been in a house until her foster home; she didn't even have a name that she recognized. She was an accidental brother-sister cross and had been kept in a cage with her mother for ten-and-a-half months. Her only exercise was jumping, as there was not room for her to run. The floor was dirt, covered in straw, and the sides of the cage were open to the elements. It took a team of three women 14 hours to clean her up. This was not easy as she was afraid of people and had never been bathed or brushed before. After becoming "civilized", though, she became very much a 'TV addict' and loved Discovery Channel and the vet programme "All Creatures Great and Small". She ignored people, cars and aeroplanes but lept to her feet barking enthusiastically at any animals that appeared on the screen. The only time she watched quietly was when there were Therapy Dogs on the program!

Kara responded well to tender loving care and training. She responded so well, in fact, that on 4 December 1999, she qualified as a St.John Ambulance Therapy Dog. The photo is of Kara in her uniform, a St.John Ambulance scarf, in front of the Canadian Samoyed Rescue logo. Too bad she wouldn't smile! But, another Sammy Success Story. On 13 September, 2000, Kara became the first therapy dog in the Comox Valley to achieve 50 visits; she went beyond 200.

Although she is now a fond memory, we remain very proud of her.

Kara's obituary read as follows:
Ilandwyte Krystal Kyra, known widely in the Comox Valley as "Kara", passed away suddenly while with her family travelling in Manitoba on June 9, 2003. "Kara" was one of the first St.John Ambulance Therapy Dogs to qualify in the region and the first to amass fifty visits. At the time of her passing she had accumulated 219 visits and many hours of community service, primarily at the St.Joseph's Hospital Extended Care Unit and Abbeyfield House. "Kara" shared with her handler a Priory Vote of Thanks from the National Committee of the Order of St.John for her dedication. She loved parades and other community events and led the St.John contingent in Remembrance Day parades in Comox and both Canada Day and Santa Claus parades in Courtenay. "Kara" was born October 4, 1996 and had a disadvantaged early life; however, her Samoyed personality shone through and she came to love and be loved by all who knew her. She and 'Sunshine' were inseparable and their ability to communicate with each other was marvellous. Kara deserved a much longer life than she was granted and would have continued to bring joy to many had circumstances allowed. Her work is being carried on by her protege, Samara, and by other dedicated Therapy Dogs

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