DOREEN LOUISE MAE WALKER

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• I met Doreen many years ago. (1974) She was the lady that first introduced me to the lovely breed of Korats. Through her I was able to purchase my first two Korats, one from her cattery Cher Dawn ( named after her two daughters) and one from Jean Soich in Chicago. During my time in Winnipeg I would go and visit her and we would trade stories and jokes about our mutual love of cats and animals in general. Her house was full of life, and pets and she always had a welcoming smile. I will never forget her kindness, her sincerity, her generosity and her love and support of the Korat breed. I would like to pass along my condolences to her family. She was a great lady and I truly admired her. She, I am sure is truly missed. D. Langevin - Posted by: Dale Langevin (acquaintance ) on: Aug 14, 2017

• I first met Dodie as a neighbor on North Drive, but over the years she became a dear friend and family. When my mother had suffered strokes and could no longer drive it was Dode that took her to appointments and shopping and watched over her from across the street. Dode and I traveled to many American and Canadian cat shows together and had such fun. She had such a fun loving nature and was always the life of the party. Off we would go in my truck filled with cats and my Bloodhound and later my Rottweiler as our protector. I remember so well when her Korat won best in show at a very large show in Minneapolis. We cat ladies celebrated in the downtown hotel tavern that night. Dode was the one who talked them into reopening the kitchen for her (as top cat winner) when we were so late back from the show. She had many friends all over North America that she met through her cats. She and Merv worked hard to establish a cat club and an annual cat show in Winnipeg Once “Too”, the springer was gone and Dode was alone, she took a German Shepherd puppy “Herra” from Han’s litter. She guarded Dode and her home. Dode and Herra were close companions for many years. We had 2 of Dode’s Korats that we showed and loved. Merle, the first, was Han’s cat. He often went outside at night with Merle tucked into his jacket to bring the horses in. The second one Blazer later went to live with my mother to keep her company after her stroke. At one time, when I was short of staff, it was Dode again that helped me, filling in as an excellent receptionist. She had such a way with the pet owners and made them feel so welcome. We would talk for hours when we got together. Whenever I was out in Fort Garry I would stop by for Tea and great conversation in her warm and friendly home. I saw her several times in the apartment at Sterling House where she was very happy. I am so glad that Cheryl got her there as it was so nice and all the neighbors were pleasant. I will miss Dode greatly and will remember her fondly for ever. She was a large presence in my life for many years. All our condolences to Cheryl, Lauren and family. Thank-you for calling. Love Joan and Han - Posted by: JoanStewart-Hay and han Van Den Heuvel (friends ) on: Feb 08, 2015

• I had the fortune of owning Cherdawn Kyko, one of her wonderful Korats. I will always be grateful. - Posted by: Connie Miles (Cherdawn cat owner) on: Feb 08, 2015

• I am much saddened to learn of Dodi's passing and wish to express my sincere Condolences to her family and friends. It was my great pleasure to meet Dodi one evening in Winnipeg a few years ago when I shared a meal with her and her friend Ailsa Stark. It was a fun filled evening with Dodi telling many stories in her jovial way. Some of her cats appear in the early pedigrees of my Korats and still appear in Korat pedigrees to this day. She was a special lady and will be sadly missed by all who met her. RIP Dodi - Posted by: Elaine Vincent (Acqaintance and fellow breeder of Korat cats (Australia)) on: Feb 08, 2015

• Meet you at the Rainbow Bridge Dodie Walker. I saw a two page spread of a Korat face in a book one day. I tracked down a Doreen Walker in Winnipeg (imagine my total surprise at finding a KORAT BREEDER only 4 hours away by car!) and called you at a very early hour one morning. You were NOT amused, having just gotten back and in bed very, very late the night prior. You agreed to allowing me to visit. I came, I saw and the Korat love I obviously had, conquered. Out of that visit many months later I was the proud owned person of a 4 month old Korat. A girl. A girl who was so purr-fect, with beautiful silver blue coat and HUGE green eyes. And a purr that I could hear at arm's length. You taught me all I was able to take in about (your) our beloved Korat, a breed that (you were right!) one either loves or hates on sight, rarely growing into a love of the 'silver blue cat with the big green eyes". You gave me the wonderful opportunity of my first Korat queen, Cher Dawn Jai Dee of Klahz, followed by Cher Dawn Vitte Argent, my first Korat male. They were two wonderful Korats who went on to produce many more beautiful silver blue babies, all with the unmistakeable Cher Dawn look! From that impressive line came my very last Korat male kitten who was shown to Inter-American 6th Best Kitten in Amercian Cat Fanciers Association, the cat association you had introduced me to, in 2005. He made Cher Dawn and Klahz proud, defeating many flashier looking kittens in that short 4 month show year kittens have. I was one of your mentees, and I know you were the best mentor anyone could have had. You introduced me, along with my husband, to showing (and hooked us may I add you sneaky lady!) by convincing us to show his HHP. Yes hooked we were for sure. I was so very excited to show my first Korat kitten, which I did with you to help me learn the ropes in a fall show we traveled to together in Wisconsin. That was in 1995, and over the years you continued to mentor me in Korats. We had many emergency conversations on the phone when the weather and distance was too great for you to give your help in person. You not only helped me get into my venture into breeding Korats, but also my husband's adventure into breeding Tonkinese. You were always there and ready with an answer and an old remedy to solve whatever the problem. We did not always see eye to eye as I learned more and tried "different ways" in breeding and raising kittens and more than once I knew your disapproval. However, I will always honour your memory in how you gave me the confidence to stand up and try something that was different, to take the step past the known, and to always cherish the Korat as that "special, special breed". I only wish that circumstances were different in the past years. I was unable to visit you, was away for extended periods of time, got out of breeding prior to leaving for overseas and never was able to get back to North Drive or to re-connect. I am glad that you were cared for when the time was such that you were no longer able to be in your home, and that there were others who were close enough to fill that special spot of being there. You have never been far away from our thoughts, and I will never forget you or what you did for me in one chapter of my life. Know you are never forgotten Dodie. Purrs and tail wags, Carine and John, Klahz Korats and Tonkinese. - Posted by: Carine Risberg (Mentee in Korats) on: Feb 08, 2015

• Condolances on the loss of your mom. I met Dodie and her Korat and Siamese cats through the Manitoba Cat Club when I entered the Cat Fancy in 1974. Her enthusiasm and dedication to cats and the world of Cat Shows was so appreciated when I was a newcomer. Blessings from Barb, the Manitoba Cat Club, and the Northern Plains Region of ACFA. - Posted by: Barb Belanger (friend from the Cat Fancy) on: Feb 08, 2015

• Ken and I had Delta and Tamarack, and Merv had Too. So many fond memories of long ago days past. How much fun we had with ESCOM, the English Springer Spaniel Club, out at Birds hill, and yes I remember those grey cats..I was sorry to hear of your mother's death, know that she is now at peace and more than likely happy to find there is really a Rainbow Bridge as well. God Bless - Posted by: Sherron McDonald (a very long ago friendship) on: Feb 07, 2015

• I remember aunt Dode as a vibrant, fun loving and animal loving person. You are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be missed. - Posted by: Kerri Walker (niece) on: Feb 07, 2015

• Our deepest condolences, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I will always remember going over to the house and playing with all the dogs and cats. Love Linnet, Ronny and |Ben - Posted by: Linnet Walstra (Walker} (Niece) on: Feb 07, 2015