Started off the morning with some very sad news…one of our best customers, Karen Kanetoku passed away very suddenly this past Tuesday. Karen was such a giving and wonderful dog-loving person. She would come to the shop at least every other week, and not just for treats for her beloved Emi, who is pictured below with a St. Patrick’s Day cupcake she just received this past weekend. Karen was always buying presents for Emi’s friends, her vet, groomer, even a thank you gift for the woman who made Emi’s birthday dress on the mainland. (Emi’s 1st birthday is in just a few weeks and she was so excited to make favors for all her friends).
It was because of Karen that we even decided to make Valentine’s Day Mini Treats this year…because she wanted to make Valentine’s Day goodie bags for all of Emi’s friends! Much to our surprise, that included US…our entire family of 7 dogs plus all us humans received a personalized basket of treats full of goodies.
Our family dogs posing with their Valentine’s Day Gift Basket from Karen & Emi
We just saw Karen this past Sunday, she had brought our Mom a thoughtful gift to commemorate the passing of one of our family dogs…Karen has never even met our Mom or the dog that passed away, but she had such a kind and giving heart that she went out of her way to personalize a gift for us–and she was feeling under the weather too!
We truly feel as if we are better people to have known Karen, she was such a loving soul. Our deepest condolences to her family and a big hug to her her beloved dog Emi.
Karen sent us these photos of Emi posing with her greenheart crochet collar to benefit Shiba Inu Hawaii and a St. Patrick’s Day cupcake
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20140319_Woman_killed_by_mother_in_accident_is_identified.html?mobile=true
http://www.kitv.com/news/woman-who-died-in-iwilei-traffic-accident-identified/25063156
Karen was one in a million. She was my preceptor at Queens Medical Center back as a
new grad. And that was 25 years ago! She came to be one of my closest
friends. Even being my maid of honor at my wedding. I haven’t been able to
see her as often as I would have liked lately but she was busy with her newest
furbaby, her family, and her health issues. She was beautiful inside
and out and it showed in her work and relationships with others. Especially
the doggie community and as an oncology nurse.
No matter how busy we were we always got together to celebrated one anothers birthdays.
She will be terribly missed but she is with Tobi who will keep her company
as he did before.
Love ya Karen!!
Thank you for sharing the stories of Karen’s love of dogs and her kind spirit. I had the pleasure of working with Karen at Queens on the oncology unit. She was always selfless and offering encouraging words to staff and patients. She is deeply missed and loved.
Karen was one the nicest and kindhearted people I knew. She always thought of others especially those that had “fur babies.” She always talked about the kind staff at the doggie bakery, one of her most favorite places to go! I too was privileged enough to know Karen and work with her at QMC. Thank you for sharing your stories, it really helps to hear the stories of Karen, especially to those who love her. We, her family at QMC tower 7, want to let Karen’s family know, that we are thinking about them during this most difficult time. We love you Karen!!
This is very sad news. In 2011, my wife underwent chemotherapy at Queen’s. Karen was one of her nurses, and she was absolutely terrific. I know she was just “doing her job” but her warmth, compassion and sense of humor provided great comfort during some of our darkest days. Aloha Karen, and thank you.