"Bentley"

January 20, 1995 - December 16, 2000

Letter to Bentley at the Bridge:

In a few days we would have celebrated your sixth birthday. This would have been a special day for all of us and include special treats for you. Unfortunately, your special day will be one of sadness filled with your memories for us.

Yesterday we lost the last physical reminders of you. Mother Nature melted the snow in the backyard including your last footprints. We also cleaned up your things in preparation of bringing two little puppies into our life. Although they will be so cute and lively, they will not replace you. Your loving patience and friendship for all of us will always be in our hearts. Our two little furbabies will provide only new memories, not replace yours.

By now you have met Griffin and Reb, who are also waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. We hope you remember your love for us and overcome your shyness so you can enjoy their company. The three of you can compare stories about how each of you ruled over the backyard.

We have also asked the Gatekeeper to send a little sheltie named Angel to meet us at the Rainbow Bridge. Even though we only met her twice, she was kind enough to give us two sheltie sisters. We are sad that she will have no one with whom to cross the Bridge and know you will share a little of us with her. So please watch out for her and make her welcome.

Eventually all of us will join you, we look forward to meeting up with you again and crossing the Bridge together. Since we will be meeting again we will not say good-bye, so goodnight old friend and enjoy the peace.

Mike, Cindy and Dad

Midnight Opera
"Bandit"

Bandit has a special place in our hearts.
He shared our lives for 13 years.
He loved to herd us on walks!
His last 6 months
should not have happened.
Sometimes I wonder
if we loved him enough,
he should have gone to wait for us
at the Bridge before he suffered so much. Forgive us, little one.

Carole & Al Bland

"Josie"

Recently, our sheltie, Josie, had to be put down. We had her for 8 wonderful years and she was loved very much. Unfortunately, she developed an autoimmune disease and although we tried to save her and she fought to live valiantly, congestive heart failure set in and she was in such distress we decided to do what was best for her and end her suffering.

We bought Josie in September of 1992, and fell in love immediately. She was very smart and was housebroken in record time! She loved to play soccer and go for rides in the car. Every Sunday when my husband would get his keys out she would "sing" to him; she wanted to go get the paper. For awhile we were having the paper delivered, to save us time, and boy was she  disappointed! As I would put on my socks and shoes she would speak to me, I guess she wanted to get the paper; eventually we stopped having it delivered so she could go in the car.

We recently brought 3 kittens to live with us. Josie never understood that cats and dogs didn't get along! She wanted to play with all of them and they would just hiss at her and walk away; it was very funny! Anyhow we are now anxiously awaiting the birth of our new sheltie (we hope the mom is pregnant!) in March.

Loved and missed by Liz H.

"Sonny"

Sonny,

You left us so suddenly and so unexpectedly that we are a turmoil. We never had a chance to say good-bye, or to explain how much we love you, and what a hole you left in our lives. If you will allow me, I'll try to explain a little.

You were Mama's companion, and the love of her life. Wherever she went, you were there. That's one of the problems. She doesn't have that cold, wet nose to tell that the coffee maker is on and to get up. And after we're up, now we have to eat the crust off the toast, because you're not there to take it from us.

When she had cancer surgery, you were there to check everything out, and make sure that she was OK. Her surgeon told her to walk. She wouldn't listen to me if she didn't feel like walking - - but you would nag and nag and nag until she gave up, got dressed, and went for a walk. She probably owes you her life. When the chemo and radiation made her so cold, you crawled in bed with her and cuddled as close as you could to keep her warm. Something you never did before, and never since. You had to know what you were doing.

You knew exactly where our property lines were and never wandered out of them without our asking you to. Every night you would walk the perimeter of the property to make sure that all was well before going to bed.

We have asked the keeper of Rainbow Bridge to allow you a little toast crust in the morning and an empty mint ice cream dish to lick just before bedtime. I sure hope he does. Now - - We have one more thing to ask of you. When you left us, you took a very large part of two hearts with you. Please - - please take good care of them until the day that we meet at Rainbow Bridge to reclaim them, and we will be with you forever.

May you sleep well, and never, ever feel any pain again... and please, please wait for us at Rainbow Bridge.

With all our love,
Mama and Dad

Jo-Lyn's Blaze of Glory
"Blaze"

March 13, 1987 - August 21, 2000

"If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
and bring you home again."
 

Happy 1st Birthday in Heaven to my beloved Sheltie Blaze.

Fourteen years ago today, my Sheltie Angel was sent down to Earth... My dear Blaze, little did I know on March 13, 1987, how much you would change my life forever. Today for the first time in 14 years, I cannot celebrate your birthday with you, for this is your first birthday in Heaven. I cannot put into words how much I miss you.

You were 4 weeks old when we first met. I picked you up, you nuzzled your tiny little face against mine, and stole my heart for keeps. That was the beginning of being inseparable. You became my sunshine, my shadow, my most prized possession. You gave me more love in our 13+ years together than I could ever hope for in a lifetime.

I went to your grave tonight to tell you Happy Birthday... but all I could do was pray that you can still feel my touch and my love in Heaven. We cannot live together on Earth anymore, but you will live in my heart forever and ever.

Until we meet again my dear, sweet, little angle, you'll always be my Forever Friend.

With all my love, Your Mom, Joy

Benjamin Barkely Esquire
"Benjamin"

October, 1992 - February, 2001

Through his small size, and charming loyalty and love, Benjamin won the hearts of many creatures. Both humans and cats mourned his untimely death due to a severe illness. His bravery inside his fence was fueled by the love he held for his family, his playfulness was enhanced from the love he received from his friends. He was the first sheltie that conquered aerodynamics under high speed running by lowering himself to the ground, which made for a shower of grass clipping had the yard been freshly cut. His favorite backyard courses will last forever as a testament to his love, whether it be the short and sweet circle track, or the long and straight graceful run across the entire yard. I still look and listen for him when I drive up from school and work.

From all of us who loved you most, Gerre, Tony, Nicholas, Michael and the cats - we miss you and hope to see you once more. Until then, enjoy the friendship of our past pets.

Thank you, Nicholas Walley

Kyle Jordan the Tailwagger,
or just plain Jordan the Sheltie
passed away November 8, 2000,
following an accident.
He was approximately five years old.

Jordan, our favorite boy, came to us from St. Louis Sheltie Rescue, after being a stray on the streets of Columbia, MO. Jordan was rescued by a quick-thinking vet there who saw that this dog was really a special boy - smart, and very loving.

Jordan was not just a dog, he was our angel, our personal therapy dog who always made you feel better, our very own  "Super Sheltie," who was a friendly Lassie- lookalike. We will miss you, Bubby. You always made us smile with your loving ways and friendly wag.

If you can, rescue your own Sheltie, who's out there waiting for someone to love. You will never regret it!!

Colleen Berding and Dave Shekleton