November 8, 1993 - September 18, 2003

What a friend... what a marvelous friend you were to each and every member of your family, Bear dog. You were not only our friend, but our protector. You'd sound the alarm whenever anyone came to the door.

You were a big sheltie, sometimes looking more like a small collie. You'd wrestle with us and would often win at your favorite game - tug o'war. Oh, how we wish you were here now for another match!

You were so reserved, actually timid, when you came to us. We always wondered what your early years were like. But you relaxed after a while, and became such an important member of the family for five incredible years.

And when you were dying... those sad last few weeks, you were such an amazing example of courage, loyalty and selflessness. We will never forget it... or you, our beautiful friend.

The Law Family
Mark, Vikki, Kristin and Destiny, Heather, Eric and Ryan

p.s. - The weekend paper routes just aren't the same without you in the back seat of the van.

November 5, 1988 - August 13, 2003

Cowboy came to us at 8 weeks of age to be my mother's companion which he was until she passed away, then he lived with me and my other dogs until recently. He was always at my mother's side or in her bed, wherever she was he was. He grieved for her I think until the day he himself died. He was a joy to know and love and be loved by, he never met a stranger and he never had an unkind thought about anyone or anything. He was the happiest boy in the world. Now he is happy and carefree again, and has met up again with "our mom" and his older brother "Raider" (tri Sheltie on this site elsewhere). He can eat all the cookies he wants to and play ball - his favorite game morning, noon, and night! I will always love you Cowboy, till we meet again, rest easy my sweet boy. You were one of the best and I never stop thinking of you. All my love- your second mom!

Kathy
Kalyn's Shelties

October 21, 1990 - July 3, 2003 

To our Beautiful Sheltie Angel,

I have been trying so hard to think of just the right thing to say, something that could sum up just how much you mean to the family and how much your loss has affected us all. But there are just not enough words to describe what happiness, laughter, joy, fun and love you brought into our lives that December night in 1990 - that is what makes this, our first Christmas without you, so very hard. There are no words to describe the sadness, loss, loneliness and emptiness of the house now that you are gone, my darling.

You joining our family was one of the happiest and luckiest days of our lives; we became a family of five, with you the "youngest" and being spoiled by all of us. I miss so many things about you that the list is endless - when you were outside walking and someone admired you, the way your little bottom would wiggle just a little bit more than normal to show how proud you were.

I also feel privileged to have had you in my life and hope you will keep a watch over us now from your special place at the Rainbow Bridge, until we meet up there.

Always in our thoughts and dreams and hearts,
Sleep tight, four white paws.

Loved and greatly missed by the Woods family:
Marianne, Wendy, Jean & Tam

October 22, 1994 - March 9, 2004

Dear Rusty,

We miss you terribly. I always did say that the day you died I would be in bed for a week with the curtains drawn. I'll never forget the day I first picked you up from the breeder. You were pushing all your brothers and sisters away to get at me. You wanted me to know that I WAS taking you home with me. And I did. From that very day you gave me all the love, support, companionship I could ever imagine. You were my little angel, the most important thing in my life. For the next 10 years you put up with so much. First, the sudden addition of a brother Cody you never asked for but eventually learned to tolerate. Then came along daddy, with his 2 dogs. Eventually you bonded with your new daddy, brother Muggsy and sister Minnie, only to lose Minnie and Cody some 6 years later. You suffered each loss with depression and that just broke my heart. You were the most sensitive dog I had ever known, and for that I loved you intensely. You also weathered well the addition of two children with all the loud bangs of toys and tantrums.

Your sudden and unexpected death just floored me. The exchange you and I had the night before you died will forever be burned in my memory. You were so healthy and happy, never having any real serious illness. Daddy and the kids were all asleep and like old times it was just you and me. I did my usual pat and kiss on the head, but something made me look at you more intently. I looked right into your eyes and said "aw, baby do you want me to spend more time with you?" I am forever grateful for those next 5 to 10 minutes I petted you, kissed you and told you how much you were loved. You died that next morning without me ever having been able to hold you again. It was as if you knew you were going to die that night and you needed to tell me to say my goodbyes. I am forever grateful for that my Rusty boy. You gave me the opportunity to love on you, not while panicked and crying at your sudden dying, but just you and me, happy and like old times.

You will always be a part of me and Daddy. We love you so much Rusty. I will never be the same again having lost you, but I know you will be in my arms again. The day after your passing I wrote the following poem for you: