1993 - 2006

"Lovely Rita, meter maid,
where would I be without you?
Give us a wink and make me think of you."

My beautiful girl,

You've been gone nearly a year and I miss you every day. I still see your fuzzy self in front of the screen door sniffing the air, keeping a vigilant watch, hearing your bark letting us know something or someone was invading your turf. I miss seeing your sweet face in the window, watching for us to come home. You would jump up and do the "Sheltie spin", twirling with excitement and happiness at our arrival, the joy of seeing us in your expression. I still see you sleeping near the open door, sprawled and relaxed, enjoying the cool air from outside.

I remember the feel of you in my arms as I held you, burying my face in your fluffy ruff, kissing your snout, getting gentle sweet kisses from you. Holding you soothed me whenever I felt troubled or upset. At night when I couldn't sleep, I would reach down and stroke you as you lay next to my side of the bed. You would wake briefly, acknowledge me and go back to sleep with a contented sigh, enjoying the affection, knowing that you had soothed me. Often, I would go back to sleep, arm dangling over the side of the bed, touching you for the love and reassurance you offered and gave. Knowing you were there, feeling your love and presence, relaxed me and lulled me back to sleep.

To this day whenever I fix a carrot for dinner, prepare lettuce and tomatoes for a salad or fix any of your favorite foods, I think of you watching me, waiting for a bite. Whenever your little big brother Jude left his treat uneaten, you would wait until I turned my back before stealing the treat. When you were caught you had the grace to look ashamed, licking your lips as you did so.  Ashamed you were, repentant you weren't. Every time we grow string beans, I'll recall picking one fresh off the vine for you then one for me. You were curious and inquisitive, you had to sniff every new thing that came in the house and give it the "Rita sniff of approval".

You were shy and gentle, not one to share yourself freely with strangers but sharing yourself totally with us.  You were truly the meaning of unconditional love. Your eyes shone bright with it, one look in them and I knew how much you loved us. More than once I would look in those eyes, my own eyes filling with tears, my heart swelling with emotion and love for you. Not long before your unexpected death, I remember looking in your eyes and thinking how I would miss that look when you were gone. I cried and held you and told you how much I love you. I didn't know then that you wouldn't be with us much longer, I just knew that I wanted you to know how much you were loved, then and always. I wanted to memorize that look, the feel of your fur, the sweet expression on your face.

You left this life as you lived it: unselfish, giving, loving. Your death was unexpected and sudden. In the end, *you* made the decision sparing us. I only hope you heard me tell you how much I love you and that you felt our loving touch at the end.

Thank you for 12 wonderful years, sweet girl. We will never, ever forget you. We love you, always and forever.

'Til we see you at the Bridge my Lovely Rita, the loveliest of all,
Carol and Kenny

Ch Springmist Sundial B Rebekah
"Becca"

November 10, 1994 - April 4, 2007

Our little angel, Becca, went to meet her Creator on Wednesday, April 4, 2007. We agonized over whether we should free her from the pain or hold onto her a bit longer, because she would still greet us lovingly and would faithfully follow us about, despite her obvious struggle. But in our hearts, we knew what was best. We could not bear to see her suffer any more. Our little princess had too many complications. Her doctors were not certain she would survive the surgery due to the failing kidneys. It was the most difficult decision we ever made.

My precious little Becca, it was Divine Guidance that led me to you. I was looking for a companion sheltie for your human sister, Kim, who was grieving over the loss of her sheltie, Kelsy. During my search, I found you on the Springmist Kennels website. Cathi Gorman had placed you up for adoption. You were a retired showgirl - a champion at that. It was love at first sight. I immediately contacted Cathi. A couple of weeks later, Mommy and I drove to Dallas to adopt you. We became your proud parents on June 15, 2002. The rest is history.

It wasn't long before you realized you were in your forever home with your new parents and you settled in quite comfortably. You craved love and attention so much. You managed to train me and your mommy very quickly. It took only a couple of weeks to have us just where you wanted. You were perfect and so well-mannered. We spoiled you rotten and enjoyed every minute of it. Over time, you became fiercely possessive of all that was yours - your home, your romping grounds, and even me and Mommy - yet you did so with the dignity only a true Sheltie Princess could possess.

I shall always remember those quiet mornings you and I shared while Mommy and Brother were still sleeping. I could count on you waking me at the same time each morning with your sweet little voice. We'd start our day with a morning walk out on the lawn and we would eat our breakfast together. You would lie in bed with Mommy while I showered and dressed. When I picked up my watch and keys, you would jump up and run into the kitchen, as though on cue. I would get a vanilla wafer and you would run back to the bed and wait patiently for me to give it to you. Then, when I'd return in the evening, you would always be there waiting for me with plenty of sheltie kisses. You would do your sweet little sheltie dance and talk to me with your little bark.

Part of your evening ritual was accompanying Mommy to the bath and licking her legs when she stepped out of the tub. Every night at 8:30 you would go into the hallway and let us known in your own special way it was time for bed. During the night you would check on us as we slept. I could hear your little footsteps as you moved around the room. On stormy nights you would jump into bed and cuddle with us.

You often accompanied me and Mommy to work. You would quietly sit under our desks and follow us around the office. Most people would not have known you were there had we not told them. But oh, how they loved seeing you, time and time again! When Mommy got sick you became her nurse. You remained by her side and checked on her constantly. You loved to ride in shopping carts, and people would always stop to meet you and tell us how beautiful you were. Some would want to pet you. You didn't mind, as long as Daddy and Mommy were in your sight. Honeybun, you brought joy to everyone. Looking back, it seems like you were always part of our home, yet your time with us was much too short.

My darling little Angel, I held you in my arms and your sweet eyes were intently gazing into mine as you crossed  Rainbow Bridge. Never have I witnessed such a display of love and courage. Daddy and Mommy miss you so much. Our home is so empty without you.

Thank-you for blessing us with your presence, the sheer pleasure of your companionship, and for 4-1/2 years of some of the most wonderful memories of our lives. Tell Kelsy, Bucky and Lassie "hello" for us - bond with them, and share your memories of us with them, and be watching for me and Mommy. We dream about the day you will come running across the green field to meet us at Rainbow Bridge. The Lord directed me to you once. I am sure He will do it again.

Rest peacefully my Love, free from pain, in the arms of the Lord~

We love you, Princess,
Daddy and Mommy

Oh Molly, the joy you gave to us when we remember arriving home and finding you at the door eagerly greeting us with your bright eyes and wagging tail. You kissed our faces over and over as we kissed you lovingly back so, so… so many times. Then one day you began to talk your marbled mouth ‘words' to us when you wanted our special attention. No one, no one knows or understands but your ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ how you spoke to us, but we knew and understood.

Then one day in your years, we heard you scream and cry… and we ran to you and grabbed you up and rushed you to hospital. There, we learned your leg had dislocated and we knew not why since you could never run and jump, let alone climb stairs or down.

I rushed you to the specialist and there they put you to sleep to repair your hip. Six weeks went by and they pronounced you healed and well. One week later, you screamed and cried for ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ once again… and your other leg dislocated from your hip. Back to the hospital and yet another operation. You were such a good patient… you never showed your pain, but only gave us your look of love through your eyes and kisses upon our faces. We took days from work to nurture and watch over you till you healed once again. The doctors all wondered why we invested so much in you and they could never understand that you were not just a dog, nor just a pet…you, our little girl, our ‘flopsy mopsy’ Molly, our loved one. With your large round soft dark eyes we could see into your soul and knew something was special about you.

Oh, we miss you so, our hearts are torn without you. We cry in pain wanting you back so. We showered you with those stuffed toys you loved receiving. You made our hearts fill with joy when we saw you so excited receiving one in such an uncoordinated and funny way pawing at and squeaking them with your mouth. You never asked for the keys to the car, nor a loan of money, you never spoke harshly back to us. You only gave us your love and taught us how to love in a way we never knew before.

I believe you knew we never bemoaned picking you up to lift you out of the door onto the grass so you could have your quiet moment for relief and lifted you back to the comfort of your home and now your orthopedic bed is surrounded by your toys and pillows. When the squirrels came close to the patio to scamper and play… we saw how you watched them eagerly wishing that you too could run, jump and play with them. That was never to be. We felt your pain, and your desires. Oh Molly, we miss you more than anyone knows. You left us for Rainbow Bridge before your time and ours yet to come.

We took you to the doctor just the other day. We knew as you did you were suddenly not feeling well and we believed you had a temporary condition to be treated. Oh Molly, we are so sorry we didn’t look into your eyes deeper and read and hear what you were trying to say. He could not understand. He said you were 12 and fat! He said it was your time. He baffled us with all of that jargon and placed a needle to your arm. Your eyes suddenly looked at us with ‘why’ and you laid your head peaceably down as you had so many times to sleep. You left us and we yearn for you so. We want you back to hold and love you… to caress your soft furry head and scratch your ears for you when you could not. I want to bring water to your mouth and cover you with your special blanket to keep you warm. Oh your mommy loved bringing home new baby blankets for you and special treats. The only trick you ever learned was to pluck mommy’s headband from her and knowingly be rewarded with a treat. It was so special to her.

We love you Molly, and I ask God to ensure you meet and great us at the Rainbow Bridge. We want to be with you forever and ever. We will never say we loved, but we will always say we love… you, our Molly, our child.

Neil and Fran Chandler

"Sheeba"

February 12, 1991
to
January 6, 2003

My Sweet Angel Babies

"Shelby"

February 12, 1991
to
April 2, 2007

I am proud to say I am an owner of 2 wonderful shelties who have left for the Rainbow Bridge. Their names are Sheeba and Shelby, born February 12, 1991. I lost my Sweet Sheeba to kidney failure January 6, 2003 after 9 months of 100% unconditional loving care for her. It was 50 degrees that day with sun shining. She was 11 years old, just a few weeks from her 12th, golden birthday. I lost my Sweet Shelby to sudden heart failure on April 2, 2007, just 4 years after her sister. It was also 50 degrees on that day.

I've been mourning for my girls, as I miss them so it hurts. My husband couldn't stand to see me this way so for Mother's Day 2007 he is getting me a new baby sheltie and I am naming her "Angel Baby", a tribute name to Shelby & Sheeba.

Stacy