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Sheltie Angels Page Seven
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Jane's Dusty Rose May 9, 1989 - August 24, 2000 |
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Goodbye my sweet Dusty Rose. You came into our lives May 9, 1989, the runt of the litter, definitely the sweetest. You with your sable coat and your full white ruff, your pointy ears, your tiny tiny body, never getting any taller than 13". My friend Jane held you in the palm of her hand and chose you to be her companion. In July you were brought from Vermont to Connecticut to Jane's home, where you you brought her love and joy in the last months of her battle with leukemia, often being snuck into the hospital in Rachel's bag. When Jane died in December, you came to live with me, my little pal, my comfort, my shadow. You saved me with your unconditional love, and your fierce protection of the front door. You left us on August 24, 2000 at the age of 11, from sudden kidney failure, never complaining that you were ill. You lie now in a favorite spot, near the flower garden and the lily pond, with your tennis balls and sticks to chase in Heaven, and your doggie treats for later. I don't know what I'll do without you, my dear little friend. None will ever replace you. Love, Sue |
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"Sage" January 1, 1993 - October 7, 2000
After a lot of research we narrowed it down to Labs, Retrievers, and Shelties. Then we moved into an apartment that allowed dogs, but only if they were 30 lbs and under, so that was God's way of pointing us toward Shelties. We never even knew anyone with a Sheltie until a former boss in NC adopted one and when we met Dillon, we were hooked. Our first, a 10 month-old blue-white (Sophie), was from the same breeder as my boss in NC and joined our family in January 1993. The second, a beautiful sable (Sage) from Cataway shelties in MD came home with us in March of 1993. (Cataway sold her as "pet" quality because Sage had big paws to grow into. Indeed, she was our Amazon Sheltie.) My wife's friend decided to breed her blue in FL and we received our third, a tri (Isis), in December 1995. We have moved frequently and our first "kids" have been with us for most of the journey. We moved into a spacious home with a fenced yard adjacent to an empty field immediately after getting the first two dogs. "The girls" have lived in Virginia, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Louisiana. Our last move was to Okinawa, Japan, 2 1/2 months ago. We were only allowed to bring two dogs, so we left Sophie with my wife's parents in RI (she's doing great). The decision of which dog to leave was hard, but since Sage and Isis were best buddies, always wrestling together, we couldn't bear to separate them. So, Sage and Isis came over with us to Japan. Although they didn't enjoy the trip, they did well on the way over; no accidents and no apparent bitterness about all that time in their "bed-beds." Now the hard part. We recently lost Sage to pancreatic cancer over the course of 72 hours. Her departure was sudden and has left us with broken hearts. She was our best friend and first Sheltie raised from a puppy. Sage was an incredible animal with a personality to match and we were so blessed to have her for 7 1/2 years. The list is endless of what we will miss: her vocalizations to play and eat, the soft fur of her head and ears, her tendency to "steal" our warm spot on the bed or couch, snuggling on our pillows on our bed, wrestling with her two sisters, her enjoyment chasing us in open fields, the way she would take treats from our mouths ever so gently, the way she would curl her bum up to get scratched on the back, the way she would go limp as a wet noodle if you picked her up or held her in your lap, her "smile," and the list goes on... All through her brief illness she did not let out one whimper. We told the vet she was in a lot of pain, but he didn't believe us at first, because she wouldn't even cry when he palpated her abdomen. But we knew our dog. After treating her for a "stomach virus" for 24 hours, he did an x-ray that revealed a large mass. We opted for surgery to determine exactly what we could do, but it was all over. Sage's pancreas was ten times the normal size and the mass in her abdomen had vibrosed all of her organs and intestines together. She was a mess. She was so strong it makes us feel guilty we didn't notice any change in her behavior earlier to possibly intervene in her illness. She remained playful until Tuesday night (10/3/00), which is partly why it is so surreal she could have been so sick. We wanted so much for her to stay with us for our three years in Japan and it has devastated us that she passed on. It's not that we expected her to be immortal, but we had no warning we would have to let her go to the Bridge so soon, and that is what is most difficult for us. We are thankful she had a vital life and only those last few days seemed to be filled with pain. On her last ride to the vet for her surgery, she looked at my husband with, I believe, eyes of relief. She had to be in such agony. After we were told the severity of Sage's illness, we brought the whole family, Isis included, to say our reluctant goodbyes. As we caressed her and talked to her, we let her pass on to Rainbow Bridge. We miss her beyond belief. She will always have a very special place in our hearts and we look forward to the day when we can think of her without all of the sense of loss and heartache. And we will look for her at the Bridge when we follow her Home. We called our family in RI to tell them what happened and they later shared an interesting story. Apparently, on Sunday, Sophie got very excited when she went outside with Chris' sister. She got her "happy tail" and started barking at a corner of the yard she is not inclined to go to... the impression they had was that Sage had come to say goodbye to her big sister. Sage, we will miss you terribly. |
We are not breeders. We are an active duty military family. As a wedding present 8 years ago my brother gave us money specifically to buy two dogs. We had not decided on a breed, we just knew we wanted a "family" dog because we intended to have children someday.
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"Tara"
September 22, 2000 - November 6, 2000 How I wish it could have been different, Though only forty-six days old You are now at peace, Tara Baby Girl, Bring smiles in your Heaven, With love and sadness, |
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"Sharena"
You chased our older boy and jumped at him as he ran, tearing his pants sometimes, but you just wanted to play. No more kick ball games when you were around, you had to
Your way of showing your love was to rub your cold wet nose on our legs or hands, and once in a while, if we weren't paying attention, you got a licky-kiss off on us, getting our full attention then.
Years of love and service went by, faithfully caring for us, herding the cats when they needed it, getting more stubborn as time marched on, because you were still the Queen. Near the end, the last 6 months of your life, if you chose to sleep on our dirty clothes at the bottom of our bed, unable for the last few years to jump up anymore, choosing only to be near us. On August 15, 2000, our 25th wedding anniversary, you decided to not get up that day, but to move to a new home in Heaven. Your coming to us was special, and certainly your leaving us was too. We will never forget you, the mark you have made in our family's lives is deep, we still deeply feel our loss of you. Your loving family, Mike, Janet, Dan and Dave Summers |
We knew when we first brought you home that you were someone special. You took your place as "Queen of the House." You slept in our nightstand at first, then when you were big enough to jump into bed with our boys, you slept there.
steal the ball all the time. The boys couldn't play hide and seek either, you would bark when
they would hide, showing the other where they were. And if you didn't get to ride in the car, or go to camp with us, you acted mad or pouted, you knew we loved you. You loved to sniff things out, sometimes getting in trouble.
You guarded the house at all times of the day, protecting us in your own way. Always a friend and a good family member, there when we needed someone to understand, and someone who never minded us talking and sharing our problems, too. We will miss you dear girl.
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Best In Show Champion May 13, 1987 - December 24, 2000
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Vanessa was the limelight of our hearts here at PRIMO Shelties. She would hold her head high with royalty. She knew she was queen and nobody messed with her. With her history-making feats in the sheltie ring, she knew she could do it.
Vanessa lived her life to the fullest, right down to this Holy Night, Christmas Eve. Just the day before she was sun bathing in her favorite spot in the yard, enjoying the freedom she had. What a GIRL... We will remember her dearly. We worked to carry her genes on in the dogs today (our foundation) and hopefully tomorrow. She joins our other loved ones in Heaven. I'm sure my Troy, CH Primo Trojan Prince CD ROM, will look out for her. CH Primo Land Of Milk N' Honey will also keep her good company as she did down here on earth. CH Primo London Fog was a might dog that will guard her through those Pearly Gates, as will CH Primo Simply Irresistible, Primo Secret Treasure, Primo Treasure Wish, her granddaughters... For we feel Vanessa is the Most Beautiful Girl in the World! We'll surely miss your face around here. WE SALUTE YOU O'GAL! Love, Johanna & Ray |
Her accomplishments included 51 Best Of Breeds at Specialties, a record which has not been met by any walking/breathing dog today; 5 Awards of Merit, thus began her National career for 7 years going Winner's Bitch starting in 1990 and ending with Best of Breed in 1996; and with 109 total Best of Breeds, we include the memorable time we went Best in Show, Spokane, WA.
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TayCote's Jack Of Hearts June 26, 2000 - December 16, 2000
In Loving Memory Of Jack On a dark and stormy night the birth of little Jack started his story. He was one of six tri-color male puppies, the first litter I had ever bred. Jack was one of the prettiest of the litter, but silly me decided I would grow out the two biggest boys. with every day and every experience Jack and his brothers grew and changed into sweet, lovable, beautiful shelties. I was so proud and showed off my pictures to everyone who would look. It became very apparent to me that Jack was the most beautiful of the litter. His size was near perfect and his temperament was outgoing yet reserved toward strangers and things. He had all I could ask for in a sheltie, but I was just sure the other two would be right for me. As time passed and the puppies grew, more and more people asked about Jack and I started to wonder if I had made the wrong choice. Yes, I had, being a beginner. The two biggest puppies were going over in size, so without much thought at all I decided to keep little Jack and see how he would mature out. Granted, all shelties have their faults, but Jack made up for his with abundant personality and love to share with all. After selling the last of the puppies Jack was the center of attention. I could have sold Jack ten times over with all the people who begged to buy him. This made me feel good inside and Jack seemed to glow, knowing it too. He was the happiest puppy and loved to play with my two children. He lived to play outside with his mother and my other two dogs; he even became like a kid to my newest female, 'Bell,' who had never whelped, yet she tenderly washed him and played with him daily. I felt so lucky to have such a wonderful dog and was looking forward to showing him in the winter and spring of his first year. Now, Jack loved his voice and I worked with him daily on NO BARK. Outside he could bark his head off and I didn't care, but inside was a different thing. I decided to have him debarked, not what I considered a major surgery or risky at the time. All that changed when I got a call from the vet that Jack was not waking from the surgery. My heart sank into my stomach and I was almost in tears, but I knew that sometimes dogs have trouble and come around shortly. I waited until the next call when the vet said Jack was like in a coma and the vet would take him home that night to watch over him. I did not sleep well that night and first thing in the morning I called to see how Jack was doing, to make sure he had made it through the night. Thank goodness he had, but he was not improving much so I went to the vet clinic and requested to take him home. My only thought was, "If he is going to die, he is going to die at home." Apparently Jack had stopped breathing on the table and had suffered some brain damage. I took Jack to another vet clinic for a second opinion, and they went to work on getting my boy back to health (Jack was in perfect health when he went in for the surgery). After some tests and lots of medication and TLC, I was able to pick Jack up and take him home. I could not stop crying when I picked him up, and he was so happy to "see" me again, he was beside himself. Jack was awake and could hear my voice and smell me, but Jack was blind. At the time I was just happy to have my baby back. Jack had suffered enough damage he couldn't walk or hold his own weight, but he had other good health signs. Time was all we had at the moment. Jack tried very hard to get better and every day I saw improvements. But time was now against us. Jack's body was giving out and little Jack was beginning to lose what functions he had gained in the two weeks after surgery. I did not want to give up and pleaded with the vets to give me some hope, but all they could do was be honest and tell me Jack may not walk again, or see again, or even regain a normal life. Now the hardest part of loving something as much as I loved Jack, was letting him go. It took all I had to bundle little Jack up and take him to the vet that last day. I was so sad, angry and sorry that I had put him through this. I know I could never have predicted or prevented it, but I felt so guilty and asked Jack to forgive me for my selfishness. I held him in my arms until his little light went out. I miss him so much it hurts and somewhere in my heart I must forgive myself for this. I will never forget little Jack, and have gone to great lengths to save every part of him I could find. The one thing that will help Jack live on is tell his story to all so they can also remember him as I do. Jack was not going to be a champion or ROM, but he was and is the most special dog I have ever had. He loved greater than anyone I know, and he gave me what I needed most, happiness. My story is not a happy one, or flowery, or full of excitement, but a true story of one little special dog that died unnecessarily. My hope in telling this story is that Jack will live on and others will take all precautions when working with these precious little guys. Life sometimes is too short to worry about the little things. Do as Jack did and live day to day. Love with your heart and share happiness with everyone you meet. Thank you for allowing me to share Jack with you. Sincerely, Tracy |