"Casey" My Beloved Sheltie August 5, 1990 - November 16, 2004
	A Precious Soul Oh, how I miss my sweet baby boy, My handsome sable and white. You brought me so much joy, And were always a daily delight. Each day you were by my side No matter what came our way. You were always there for the ride And for you I always pray. A part of my heart you will always be. For so many years, you were my best friend. You are a beautiful memory, And when it's time, I will see you in the end. Love, Mom In Loving Memory of Casey My Shetland Sheepdog of 14 years

Chelsea Rose

You trailed behind your littermates as they romped in the grass
after their mother, Rose,
full white collars glistening in the San Diego sun.
They seemed not to have a care in the world,
except for how cool the morning dew felt on their fuzzy paws.
But you were... you were thoughtful... there was more to you...
you seemed to deliberate over every step you took
as if there were important decisions to be made
regarding the interaction between you, your mama, your littermates,
and those of us who stood on and watched.
You were so aware of our presence as you repeatedly looked up at us
with those innocent, girly eyes... all six inches of you!
You were the runt of a sable dam and a black sire.
No full white collar, not a bright sable coat, but one that was
ruddy and blackened...
no white tipped tail, but the sweetest eyes I had ever seen.
We had come to choose a puppy that day.

I went straight to you, as you hesitated to keep up with the others.
I gently picked you up in my arms.
Within seconds, as I held your heart against my chest,
your little head rested
into the curve of my neck,
...and you wouldn't move it for the world.
As if to say, "this is it... this is the joy I've been waiting for...
and I will stay...
right here"
and you made me smile.

The meaning of a rose, a pink rose (always my favorite) was Perfect Happiness.
I named you Chelsea Rose on the way home
as three squealing boys smothered you with love.

There were many more times throughout your short nine-year life, Chelsea Rose,
in which I would gently pick you up,
and hold your heart against my chest,
and you would immediately
lay your head over my shoulder
into the curve of my neck,
and rest it there,
and you wouldn't move it for the world,
as if to say, "You are MY world,"
and you were mine, my little girl.

Once I gave a shower, a tea, for my friend who was having a baby girl.
As she sat on the couch with the other guests, you approached her
in your quiet way,
gently crawled up on our sofa couch, sidled up beside her
and lay your sweet head in her lap
and rested it there,
under the curve of her belly,
and you wouldn't move it for the world.
as if to say, "Here is my wish for your baby girl...
a wish for her Perfect Happiness."

When we lost my grandmother,
and I cried in bed at night,
you would scoot the side of your body
as close as you could to mine,
and lay your sweet head close to my heart
and you'd rest it there
and you wouldn't move it for the world,
as if to say, "Your heart will heal. I promise."
...and you made me smile... a smile of perfect happiness.

Several years later, James came home from Critical Care at Children's Hospital.
He had no memory for the day of his concussion.
He had scared his mama half to death!
As you saw him come through the door,
you whimpered with excitement... and relief,
that he was back home with you
and as he went to bed to rest,
you gently crawled into his bed.
you couldn't get close enough
as you lay your sweet head in the crease between his arm and his chest
and rested it there,
and you wouldn't move it for the world,
as you stared at him with those soulful eyes,
as if to say, "Feel well, my little boy,
and never hurt again. That is my wish for you"
...and it made him smile... a smile of perfect happiness.

You brought so much joy to us, Chelsea Rose
with your patient, sweet nature,
and your understanding
and empathy
and the depth at which you felt our feelings.
You were so much more than just a pet.
You were my little girl.
You always seemed to show us...
The meaning of Perfect Happiness.

That's why my heart will never fully heal
after the evening I returned home
and found you lying lifeless
in the back yard
in a cool shady spot
next to a stream
...
beneath a bed of pink roses...
...
with your little head resting peacefully there,
and you couldn't move it for the world,
as if to say,
"Mama, I'm going home now,
to be with my Daddy in heaven...
and the rest of His angels,
and I'll see you there some day,
in the place
of Perfect Happiness."

We'll always love you, Chelsea Rose

"Boomer"

January 6, 1991 - August 16, 2007