Sleepy Eye Forest Original
"Noella"

November, 1994 - April 25, 2000

Tonight we say good bye to Noella. She fought hard, but her little heart could not keep her going through the struggle to recover from the surgeries and the peritonitis.

She came to us as a shy little Sheltie at a year and a half and blossomed into a brave and loyal friend. She was always by our side, and adhered to the strict rules she invented for herself. If any of the pups ever played too rough, Noella would step between them to let them know to ease off. She loved meal time and would dance and sing for her dinner if she thought we were late delivering it. Justy taught her and Sky to bark at the horses and she delighted in joining in the barking frenzy. Despite being sick the last days she was home, she still tried to herd the truck last Saturday (she stood in front of it barking, thinking that would keep it in place), and still gathered the strength to go up to the barn with us for feeding time. Our only clues she was not feeling well were that she tired out on the way back to the house, sitting down waiting to be carried in, and refused to eat. She was always quite the chow hound so we knew she wasn't feeling well when she lost interest in food. Although come to think of it, she still ate a carrot at the barn, and nibbled the dribbled grain from the horses her last day home. She was a very brave and stoic little dog and we will miss her greatly.

Paul and Glenda Washburn
Rose and Ben (the Morgans), and Justy and Sky (the Shelties)

Wabeek Midnight Promise
"Promise"

February 16, 1983 - June 9, 1997

Dear Promise,

I can't believe it's 3 years now. It seems like just yesterday you asked to go to the Bridge. You were my loving, loyal companion for over 14 years and it still breaks my heart every time I think about it. You came into this world in my hands on February 16, 1983, and were at my side until June 9, 1997.

I knew in my head you were ready to join your real Mom (Abby) but my heart just didn't want to believe it. Looking back on it now, I know I was dreading the day I knew was coming. Finally, as you well know, you took things into your own paws; and sent me a message I just couldn't miss. Thank you, Honey. You and your kennel mates knew more than I did. You and they were ready long before I was.

I will always remember that last night when you stood near the dividing fence and faced them as they stood shoulder to shoulder facing you with their tails down and very slowly wagging from side to side as they clearly said good-bye to their long-time gentle leader. You were their leader for many years and they never challenged you after you became so frail.

Then, the next morning before we left for your final visit with our wonderful Vet, you walked the fence line, all 4 sides. You were so obviously saying a final good-bye to the grass, trees and birds that had been a part of your life all those years. It was obvious you wanted to take that walk one last time and that you wanted to do it alone. My heart broke as I watched you but I had to respect you enough to let you have it your way.

Thank you, Sweetheart, for all the things you taught me and all the love you gave me. You were with me through good times and sad times, and I held on to you tightly as our wonderful Vet helped me to answer your request.

I still miss you, Promise. The tears running down my cheeks are my heart's way of reminding me how deep you left your paw prints.

"Mom"
Mary E. Couzens, Wabeek Shelties

Muffin

May, 1991 - May, 2000

This is a dedication for Muffin,
who died unexpectedly of renal
failure. She was loved so much by
her grandparents and her mom.
She will never be forgotten. Thank
you, Muffin, for the treasured 9
years you blessed us with your
gracious love.

Mom, and Grandma & Grandpa 

Autumnjoy 'N Moonshine Truffle
"Koko"

CH Sunnybrook's Imagemaker, ROM
x
Cameo Lady of the Night

October 14, 1992 - December 16, 1999 

I bought Koko when she was 18 months old. As a single man without much of a social life, she and I became inseparable. She was my very best friend for almost seven years. This past December, she somehow got out of the yard and was killed by a car on the road. I was, and still am, devastated. I am sure you hear this a lot, but Koko was the closest thing to a person of any Sheltie I have ever seen or met. She was always there with a comforting kiss on the cheek when I had a bad day, and was a lot of fun to just play around with. She was completely disdainful of anything remotely associated with "fetching" something. When I would throw something for her to fetch, she would look at me with a look that said, "Me? You must be kidding!" or, "If you want it so bad, YOU go get it. For that matter, if you wanted it so bad, why did you throw it away in the first place??"

She was the most gentle of creatures; not immediately everyone's best friend, but kind and gentle. I have seen her with a stray kitten I found. At first she wanted nothing to do with it, but after a couple of hours she was cleaning the kitten as if it were her own. She was so tolerant of puppies pulling on her ears; it was heartwarming to watch.

I don't care what anyone says, I know Shelties are the breed closest to God.

With love,
Ken Sander, Jasper TX

Dunvegan Double Take
"Danny"

April 4, 1989 - June 17, 2000
 

I miss you, sweetheart.

My sweet little boy fell ill Thursday night, awhile past midnight. I rushed him to the ER vet. It was later diagnosed as the onset of Cushings - a disease where the adrenal glands produce too much steroids, body systems go out of whack, and the immune system is compromised. Infections started, and his little body systems started failing. He had been diagnosed with a heart murmur last summer, which had gotten worse, and didn't help the situation at all. He fought valiantly, but in the end he couldn't win. He crossed to Rainbow Bridge Saturday evening.

I sat with him for about an hour and a half Saturday morning, and still felt the thrill of looking at something so completely beautiful - heart, body and soul - and realized it's yours, that his little heart belongs to you, and yours to him. I'm afraid of forgetting his beautiful little face, with its so serious, but loving, expression; and his whole handsome little self. The way he would strut around, happy as could be, with his little tail waving high in the air; and he just knew for himself that he was the best little dog God ever put on earth.

I love you, my precious boy.

Tricia L. Holman, Dunvegan Shelties

Lassie

September 13, 1990 - August 5, 2000

Lassie, when you left me,
a piece of me left with you.
You will be in my thoughts forever.

Love, Cindy