"Kawika"

January 19, 1991 - March 18, 2005

Kawika was a beautiful little Sheltie who stole our hearts the moment we saw him. Out of the eight puppies we had to choose from he chose us by tugging out our sleeves and pulling our pant legs as if to say "Let's go home already." Kawika was a little spitfire for most of his fourteen years but also gave us so much joy.

He was our first baby and we cherished him so. When Kawika was about 2 years old he started to show signs of a skin disorder that was later diagnosed as discoid Lupus. He spent a few years not feeling or looking his best. After trying everything to help his condition we turned to a homeopathic doctor who literally cured him. It was a long road but Kawika's face grew hair again and he was a HAPPY dog.

We took him everywhere with us. He traveled to Germany, Mexico, Canada and all over California with us. We loved him so and I was devastated to lose him at 14-1/2 years old. I guess I thought he would be with us forever. It all went so fast, his life, his death. He died on my mother's birthday, March 18, at a clinic in San Francisco after we had just seen him 30 minutes before. I think he waited for us to go so as to spare me. His name "Kawika" means David in Hawaiian and my mom always called him "David the strong one." That he was until the end. I read part of a poem written by an anonymous author who said:

"If Tears could make a River
And Memories a Lane
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you Home again."

I know now that this is only a portion of a much longer poem I would read 2-1/2 years later, as I lost my second Sheltie, KOA, at 22 months of age. Please read KOA's story as well. I also know now that Kawika lived a GREAT and long life and that I did everything I could for that little dog. If there is a Doggie Heaven I know he is there barking and running on the beach. I hope KOA has found him there so he is not alone. I miss them both and will never forget them as long as I am on this Earth that they both loved so much.

Sleep well my Sheltie Angels.
I will love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Your Mommy

Rosey Shiloh Shantelle
"Rosey"

January 14, 1993 - November 5, 2007
Aged 14 years, 9 months, 22 days

"Rosey brought happiness, joy and sunshine to our hearts."

You came into our lives in April 1993, the runt of the litter and never intended to be other than a companion. Your puppy picture labeled "03" as the AKC litter number, you became our "pretty girl", "snookie Schnauzer", and "chauzer" for the snorts and nose pranking you would do. You greeted us at the door even in the bleakest of times and were loving and affectionate always. You looked after Mike, hour upon hour, when recovering from surgery and then gave your goodbye shortly before you died. The day of your death caused by kidney failure and old age was the worst day we can remember, you were chipper the night before and so vibrant in August 2007 when we took many of the pictures included. You were not a traveling dog and knew only the house and the yard to run. We hope you will be our Guardian Angel always and we miss you greatly.

Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, which will be joyful,

Sir Ruthel The Great
"Rusty"

April 18, 1989 - July 8, 2003

I remember the first day I met you, you were so little and so scared.  We brought you home when I was a barely nineteen. You were my best friend, you were always by my side, always in my thoughts, always there for me. You and I had such a strong bond. I remember when I would go to work, you would go to Grandma's house and stay and even though each night I got off work at a different time, Grandma said she knew when I would be home because you would go lay by the front door 10 or 15 minutes before I arrived. I wonder how you knew?

You always followed me from room to room, inside or outside, you always wanted to be with me. I remember when I would go to a friend's house, you would  have to ride with me and when I did not take you now and again, everyone would ask "Where is Rusty"?

When you started to become sick, I suppose due to your age, I took you once again to the vet and he told me the worst news I would ever have to hear. He said you were just old and that was all that was wrong with you. I still wasn't ready to let you go, you seemed to get better for a while, then, one day I looked down at you by my side and you looked so tired, I knew it was time to let you go. The night before I took you to the vet to ease your pain forever, we laid in the floor together all night, I will never forget that feeling. I was holding you when the vet sent you to the rainbow bridge and I know that there you wait for me.

I still think of you every day and cannot wait to see you again.

Casey was a little guy who was adopted and returned repeatedly to various shelters over his short life here on earth and I do not want him to be forgotten.  The decision was made to put Casey to sleep after careful consideration and discussion.  He could not adjust to anyone and was very defensive toward everyone.  I choose to not go into what he did in detail but I chose to see the lost potential and love for him no one ever found. Shelties are very happy, sensitive and loving given the chance.  Casey did not get that.  Looking at his face you see a beautiful sheltie and it’s very hard to see the torment he must have gone through in his life.  These wonderful shelties are gifts given to us to become our best friends and companions.

God bless you Casey, as you will be better off and much happier now.

Roger