"Classy"
April 16, 1987 - July 24, 1999

"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like;
and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively
and licks my hands;
then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that."
                                         -- W. Dayton Wedgefarth

Classy, you were the best friend I ever had, or ever will have again. Twelve years - we grew up together! I still remember the day we met... and it was so long ago! There was an instant connection and I wasn't going to leave that place without you. I cradled your box on the way home and somehow mom persuaded me that "Elvis" wasn't an appropriate name. Thank goodness. We got home and you were mine, truly mine. Remember how I pranced around the yard slapping my leg, so excited because you followed right along? No one had ever followed me like that before. We were made for each other. I was convinced you were a softball player at heart. You'd run and jump and flip, always  catching your sock in flight. And the Count Chocula... Three every morning (sometimes four when mom wasn't looking)... You were so good at grabbing those things, no matter what stunt I tried to pull. I loved that you were the first face I saw every morning. I loved how you wagged your tail just at the sight of me. No one ever loved me like that before. No one ever cared the way you did. I'd come home after fifteen hours at the ballpark smelling like dirt and sweat... but all you wanted to do was lick the cuts on my leg. When mom and dad were getting divorced, you knew how sad I was. You'd rest your chin on my leg and look up at me with those big brown eyes... Thank you for those times when I couldn't do anything but lay on the floor and bury my tears in your soft coat. The weekends you stayed with me at dad's were so special. I loved that you were always one step behind me. I loved how you would jump up into bed with me until I fell asleep... but you were always on the floor in the morning. Even that last weekend of your life... You were in so much pain but you were still so devoted as you lay outside the bathroom door and struggled to follow me around the house... Remember how you barked at any person who touched me? Remember when I'd get excited about something and you'd jump up and down with me? And you always beat me in those races up the driveway... I missed you so much when I went away to school. Mom said you missed me, too. She said you looked for me at the door and you got so excited when you heard my voice on the phone. You were the first thing I wanted to see when I came home at Christmas. I miss you now more than words could ever express. Sometimes it just randomly  hits me that you're really gone. Those are the times I start bawling, knowing we'll never take another walk around the neighborhood and I'll never again hear your bark and my hand will never be able to rub your forehead just one more time... Please always remember what I said to you outside of the animal hospital that last day... You tried so hard to hold on for us... but I guess it's God's turn to have you now. I could go on forever about how much I treasure our time together, but I guess you get the idea... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the unconditional love and endless devotion you gave to me and our family. It still means more to me than you will ever know and there will forever be a place in my heart for you.

Love, Jenni

"Bonnie"

November 6, 1981 - August 25, 1996

Bonnie, you were my first dog, and I had no idea the bond between us could be so strong. You were in tune with my feelings, loved to cuddle, and slept with your head on my pillow beside me. You had "Sheltie Skin" right from the start (even before anyone knew what it was), and it was a challenge over the years keeping you comfortable with all your allergies. You developed liver trouble later in life due to the medications you had to take, but you fooled us all - you lived almost 15 years, no doubt due in great part to the love and care we shared. You tolerated graciously the arrival of a new puppy in our home during your last summer with us. You had 5 months together, and at times the puppy brought out the playfulness in you that we had not seen for many years due to your advancing age. I know you are in a place where you are happy and healthy now, and waiting patiently until we can be together again.

Love, Kathy, Tim and Matthew

"Katie"

February 16, 1996 to January 14, 2000

Katie, you were the puppy we got when we realized Bonnie's days with us were dwindling, because I knew I couldn't bear to be without the love and companionship of a dog. You slept on Bonnie's blanket beside her all cuddled up, and looked lost when she finally had to leave us. You were a great playmate with Matthew, and could retrieve a tennis ball no matter how far he hit it with a bat. Frisbees were what you truly loved to chase - you would run in front and "herd" them. You were my shadow and followed me everywhere, and no one could touch me without you jumping up and barking at them to stay away. You loved riding in our boat with the breeze in your face and had your own seat claimed in the bow. I can't believe your time with us was so short. You fell ill and within two days of the onset of seizures, I held you in my arms as the doctor finally eased your suffering in the only way possible - I have found out now that a terrible disease called GME claimed you. Katie, I know you are playing now with Bonnie in heaven, and are healthy again, and await the time we can be together.

Sadly missed by Kathy, Tim and Matthew

Sequoya Bi Light Of Hope
"Hopi"

March 13, 1987 - February 5, 2000

It is with great sadness and grief I must report we were forced to send our little one, our dearest "Hopi" to Rainbow Bridge. She will be missed sorely and let it be known that no other dog ever played 'roll over and play dead' with such aplomb! Though she was never quite a show girl, she gave me the greatest gift she could give me besides the joy of her company for 12 years, her first puppy presented me and the utter joy of my life, my 'Harley James' who will miss her as well. She was the sweetest dog God ever graced this world with and taught me much. She left this life to update my "Molly Collie" as to my whereabouts and what-fors. She joined my first sheltie "Nabby Ann" and my beautiful "Patrick", the standard Manchester who is waiting to curl up in my lap and get his feet warm on my tummy again.

Our little "Hopi" was such a lovely little sheltie! I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her, jumping about in a pen full of bi-blacks, who she was and that she was meant for me! My first "show" prospect, full of promise and all wrapped up in a fresh new receiving blanket; I was ever hopeful and trying to do all the right things, but she was forced to live through the new pet owner case of the stupids! When she chewed each and every cord in the house, I finally resorted to making her wear a wire mesh muzzle when I left because it was "mean" to put her in a crate. I learned and she willingly obliged my errors. I decided she really should have some obedience, so off to class we went, where our soft little one was put through the rigors of a community education class. She willingly obliged, but she decided it was entirely too much bossing around for her! From this her independence grew. From that point, she always anticipated what you wanted and hurried to do it before she was bossed around!

She loved everyone but when Kevin came into her life, I became the person who lived with Kevin. She was known everywhere she went for her great and dramatic display of "Bang, bang, yer dead varmint!" game, which she happily did over and over for anyone who pointed their finger and said, "Bang!"

She was a little dog who didn't like raised voices or even pretend violence! She looked forward to her quiet time in the house but loved visitors, they were hers alone. Our little Hopi was a dog who left a big hole in her place!

Her heart was as the mountains,
Her presence like a kiss.
Her sheltie smile is sunshine now,
Her memory, just a wish!

Your spot is saved for you on your chair, dear! God keep you, my sweet girl, we love you. Rest well!

Julene and Kevin Matthews
Saltaire Shelties

Am/Can CH
Linden Keynote Takin' It Easy 2CC
"Piper"

November 4, 1990 - February 19, 2000