"Kai Soto"
Shine on Sabled Son

June, 1982 - April 1, 1999

Kai, our little boy, how can we ever let you know how much you meant to us, how much we miss you! You were six months old, and already had manners, such a gentleman from the beginning. You gave us so much joy, so much love, you were so much fun to be with. You were an adventurous little guy which sometimes got you into some trouble. You loved performing for us and guests, you loved running on your land, barking and herding the quail, doves, lizards and standing at your own little cliff overlooking "your territory" in that proud stance... You protected your territory and family with your life, as you proved your courage by fighting off a wild coyote that dared to walk on your land. You almost lost your life that time as you were badly hurt but you were strong and survived! Your dad loved taking long walks into the desert with you, you would run ahead, exploring, barking, but would always come back to see if your dad was still walking behind you! You always sensed when we were hurting emotionally or physically, and what a comfort you were as you laid at our feet and licked our wounds. How will you ever know what pain and grief I felt when at the end of 17 years I had to be the one to hold your now frail body in my arms, and I held you tight, as the doc released you from your body. You were gone in seconds. But I know that somehow you know, and that you are still with us and that you always knew how much you were loved by all your family. But I can't help but wish sometimes that I could hold your compact little body and kiss your patient little face looking into those huge liquid brown eyes so full of love...

We'll be seeing you, Kai! Love you, papas!
The Soto Family

CH Mami-Maureens Kimmy Kricket, CD
"Kricket"

July 2, 1985 - November 5, 1998

We miss you fancy pants... your grinning ways, sparkling eyes full of mischief and knowledge. You were our first Sheltie, our foundation bitch who still carries on in our fifth generation of Champions. You made us laugh so hard with your antics of opening the stove drawer to get attention, stealing our socks and running or just lying by my feet at night while watching tv or reading a book. You were one in a million, may you rest in peace.

Love,
Mom, Kim, Jeff & Randy

CH Fayr Wynds The Admiral
"JP"

November 12, 1987 - October 12, 1997

For my most precious "JP"

Sandy, My Sheltie

As remembered by Scott Rohrbaugh, Sgt.,
US Army, Ft Leavenworth

I wanted you to know that the page of Sheltie Angels I am reading seems like it was meant for me. I had a sheltie growing up as a kid. I got to pick her out of a litter when I was 11. She was the runt, of course, but she grew to be an Angel. She was my best friend growing up, even though I had a sister close in age. She comforted me, slept with me, played with me and always seemed happiest when I would get out of our family vehicle after a long time away from the house. I will never forget the day the vet told me that her kidneys had failed and there was nothing more he could do. I was 11 when I got her and she was 11 when I lost her. The last moments I spent with her were all tears for me and what seemed like understanding from her. She rested her head in my arms and looked up at me. It was then that I realized that all this time, Sandy was in love with me. I believe to this day that shelties are the dogs that are more human and have more emotion than any other dog. It took me a long time to get over her death. I have always felt an emptiness about me.

I am 28 now and have a loving wife and two children. Well, three if you count our new sheltie, Whiskey. He is a God-sent gift to our family. We have had him for two years. He seems more playful at times than my 4-year-old son (that's hard to do!). Whiskey sleeps on our love seat at night with all four feet up in the air. Sometimes he dreams and gets all four paws moving at once. He really makes us laugh. He too, chases squirrels, thinks he is King of the neighborhood watch program, and lets all the kids on bikes in our neighborhood know that he is watching them and they are going too fast. He looks at me once in awhile the same way Sandy did. It is then I know she is waiting for me someplace (with wings, of course).

I thought I would share this with you because Sheltie Angels Among Us really made me remember all the good times I had as a child with Sandy. Thank You for letting me take up a few moments of your time.

Karral Victory Lap
"Lexus"

My name is Joni McDaniel and three years ago I purchased from Karral Shelties a very beautiful Jeep (Grand Prix) son - Karral Victory Lap (Lexus). I was so excited when I drove down to SFO to pick him up and we bonded immediately. I only had him a little less than six months (he was not even four years) when, because of a vet error, he died of aspiration pneumonia. I was devastated. I loved this dog with all my heart. I know Lexus went to the Rainbow Bridge and when my dad died in 1998 I know he went to watch over Lexus and all our other dogs until I could take over the care of Lexus once again. I will always carry Lexus in my heart and know he is watching me.

Our "Mickey"
Heartbeats Collectors Style

Born May 18, 1989, she left us October 28, 1999

Mickey, you and Heidi were the very start of Heartbeat Shelties. I will never forget the morning around 3 a.m. when we rushed your mother to a vet who would open up at 2 a.m., which was an hours' drive away and because she was very new at it with only six months out of school We assisted her on your mother's cesarean section and hysterectomy. We took you and your siblings home that night and your mother came home the next day. What a start to breeding shelties you were!

Since then you became one of the family. You gave all your love and devotion that only a herding dog could give us. You were there when loved ones passed on and I held you for comfort. You brought us so much pride and joy to know that that was OUR DOG in the show ring. You never obtained your American Championship (no fault of your own) but your name goes on with your American Champion daughter, SeaHaven in a Heartbeat and other offspring. One of the hardest things I have done was to take you to the vet to lay you down and have my eyes the last you saw, only because I didn't want you to see a stranger's face when you left. I'll miss you forever, my friend, and the next day we found out that your sister has cancer so I'll just have to do it all over again, but each day I tell her it's not a good day to leave me so I pray she'll be here awhile to comfort me over your loss.

Fairly well, my friend, fairly well.
Jerry of Heartbeat Shelties

Misty Rose

Chase your tail all day
and play with the sheep

January, 1986 - September 18, 1999

I will never forget the day I met Misty. She was a round ball of golden sable fur with the most perfect ear set you could ask for! I got her as a rescue at three years of age from an elderly lady who could no longer care for her. At five years old she was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease, Lupus. I was warned she may only live two more years, if that. She sure showed them by fighting it for eight years!

Misty went through thick and thin with me. She told each and every dog, cat and horse she was "Queen Bee"! Nobody messed with her and she didn't mess with them. I think that is one thing I found most enduring about her, she was such a strong little girl and nothing stood in her way.

On September 18 old age had really taken over and she lost her battle with the disease. We had to make the decision to let Misty leave this earthly place and live pain free at the Rainbow Bridge. Misty may not have been a show dog or an obedience dog, but what she gave me I will never forget. Many years of laughter, joy and worry. She also taught me patience with others and always be careful with the friends you choose, gotta make sure they love dogs, 'specially shelties!! I will miss her greatly as I think of things I will never see her do again, like rolling in the snow, doing "snapping turtle" in the air, lifting her lips so all you saw was a couple of teeth, making soft little cooing noises when she was getting her tummy pets, barking at the air above her, chasing her tail and Tony, Too, and always there for me with her soft tongue to let me know she cared. As I know I  will never "see" her again she remains in my heart and I know she is being cared for as she waits for me at the Rainbow Bridge.

Love, Yvonne Davey, Absarokee, Montana