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A Best Friends Angels Rest Pet Memorial

Koto

2013 – 2026

Koto was our world (aka: Koko, Dodo, Koto-bear, Kotsie, Kotes and likely other terms of endearment :))! We adopted her just before getting married and we have only known our married lives as a family with her. Koto passed on August 2, 2026, so the loss and our lives without her is still very new. I wanted to celebrate Koto by sharing a bit about her here.

Koto found us, indirectly, between 2014/2015. She was picked up on the side of a road after being hit by a car where her arm was injured. Long story short, she was then introduced to us through a family member (now we know, she was a beautiful gift to us).

Koto seemed to have a rough beginning, but she never let that define her. She had a smile that would cause strangers to say "That's a happy dog! She's smiling!". She ran very quickly as a young girl and loved jumping over brush and logs in the woods like a magical huntress. Koto loved walks on the beach and, being true to her nature, loved to chase the birds. She endured long car trips to see family with positivity and seemed to exude a love for adventure. About 6 years after she found us, Koto welcomed a sister kitten who had also found us. Koto grew to be a loving and patient big sister and Caramel Kitty grew to watch over Koto, advocate for her, and be a voice for her when she needed. As a kitten, Koto allowed Caramel to sleep next to her and shared her many beds while offering Caramel Kitty the surrogate mama feeling that she likely missed experiencing.

That's just the tip of the iceberg in my sharing of Koto and her beauty. As with all of our previous beloved "pets" who have already passed over the rainbow bridge, Koto taught me more than any human- pure acceptance, pure love, pure positivity, pure open mindedness, and a pure mirror when I wasn't acting as my best self.

Koto you were such a gift to us. Thank you for finding us, for being there for us, for celebrating with us, for allowing us to sing all those made-up little "Koto songs", for all the adventurous walks together, and for that beautiful smile! You will be remembered, cherished and honored forever.

Love, Mama, Daddy, and Kitty

Julie and Anthony LoPrest...
Pet Parent: Julie and Anthony LoPresti Wyler
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We believe in honoring the lives of pets
We believe in honoring the lives of pets
Here at Best Friends, animals have such a special place in our lives. We honor those pets we’ve loved and those who need our help today. At Best Friends, we keep pets in our hearts

Remembrances

Leaving a personal story, memory, or words of support for a pet’s family is a heartfelt way to pay tribute and provide comfort. As part of your remembrance, we also invite you to leave a virtual token along with your words — similar to our tradition here at the Sanctuary of leaving stones, beloved items, or small toys on the graves of cherished animals.