Scooter
My Dear Sweet Scooter, January 20th, 2005 was the saddest day of my life. It was the day I was hoping to find out what it was that was making you so sick. I just wanted it to be one thing that we could treat with some medicine or a procedure to make you to be well again so you could come back home and be with us and continue bringing joy to our lives on a daily basis. I had a bad feeling that the tests weren’t going to give us the results we hoped so desperately for and you had your goodbyes with the rest of our family. I got the results right after lunchtime and the news was what I had feared the most. There was nothing we could do to make you better and we couldn’t let you suffer anymore. My sister and I came to you so we could share our last moments together here on earth. She said her goodbyes and left the two of us alone for a little while. I talked to you and held you in my arms and told you just how much you meant to me and how much I loved you. You kissed my face for the first time in days. I thanked you for allowing me to be a part of your much too short life. You were only 10 years old. I remember how you came into my life like it was just yesterday. This wonderful woman that I worked with was talking to us about Second Chance Sheltie Rescue and that they had a mother and her puppies they had rescued. I didn’t know anything about Shelties, but just knew that the time was right for me to have a dog of my own. You were the runt of the litter and had a few problems even then. I had to wait almost a week after I met you to bring you home because you had those darn eyelashes growing on the inside of your eyelid. You were the most beautiful little puppy I had ever seen. I remember Tracy Buck asking me what I was doing for the next 15 or 16 years when I knew you were going to be mine. Oh, if only we could have had that much time together. I just want to tell you again that during the time we shared together here on earth, you were without question my best friend. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed coming home and seeing you or hearing your bark to let me know that you knew that I was home nor do I believe a day will go by that I won’t have that feeling. You were such a blessing in our home and especially in my life. I’ll never stop missing you and I’ll never stop loving you. Thank you for the joy that you brought into my life and the lives of those around us. I’ll see you again at Rainbow Bridge. Love, Mike

Scout
Scout, we are so blessed to have been able to share the last 10 of your 15 or so years on this earth (from December 22, 2000 to December 10, 2010). Although your last year was difficult at times, and having to finally make the decision to give you back to God was heartbreaking, we hold dear memories of the many wonderful times we had with you. We loved playing innumerable games of fetch in the yard, as you would practically throw your little football back at us so we would toss it again, and again, and again. We enjoyed walking our neighborhoods with you or taking you to the Farmers' Market, where everyone would exclaim over how beautiful you were, and the little kids would want to pet you. We loved coming home to find you in the window looking for us so your nose would be right at the door as we came in. We laughed at how you anticipated commands when we had our training sessions on rainy days, as you tried multiple responses if we didn't give you your treat fast enough. And we couldn't ever walk away without petting you when you rolled over (and over and over) on your back waiting for tummy rubs. Whether you were vacuuming up your food, sloppily lapping up your water, following us around from room to room, barking as you looked out the front door, herding us whenever you expected a treat (you knew our routines and habits better than we did), or just sleeping peacefully like the angel you are, we treasure every moment we had with you. We missed many of these things during your last year, but we will never forget any of them. Now you are resting peacefully, right next to our first sheltie, Boo Radley, in a quiet place in our backyard that you loved so much. We remember how soft your fur felt (especially those silky ears), your soft kisses, and how sweet you always smelled. Yes, you are still our beautiful boy, as you are in our hearts forever, until we meet again in heaven -- for it wouldn't be heaven if you were not there. Love, Marianne and Rosanne

Sheba Valentine
February 15, 2004 "Our Cover Girl of the 2004 calendar has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She spent her birthday (2/14) at the Emergency Animal Clinic. Her health declined very rapidly. When I would visit and sit with her, all I could do was cry and repeat, "it's her birthday". She was tuff, and made it till the early morning hours of Sunday. She brightened my every day, and I am so glad she is able to do the same for others as our Calendar girl." ~~ Steven (Sheba was a puppymill rescue adopted by Steven three years ago.)

Skipper
Skipper came to us in August of 2001 and was a really good dog. We lived in 3 different places during the year and it was always interesting to watch as he explored each place upon arrival. He would get out of his crate and stand on the driveway and look at the surroundings to determine if he had been there before. He would walk around inside checking each room by looking in the door for a few seconds then walking in to check. If we arrived at night he would wait until the light was turned on before entering. His favorite place was in the country. There was a loop we could walk where we could let him off the leash as we walked around a 1 mile circle. He would chase every sound be it squirrel, deer or turkey. We would keep walking and soon he would catch up. He would wait at the end of the loop to get his leash re-attached. When my wife had to give up walking and took up making greeting cards he would stay by her to protect her from the trash man, the UPS truck and the FED-Ex truck. He would chase them from the back of the building to the front barking all the way, then return and smile at her as if to say "Don't worry, I got rid of them." Skipper was our 3rd Sheltie and we loved them all. Misty and Maggie preceded him. Carol is also gone now and I know that she is watched over by all of her dogs but especially our Shelties. ~~ Tom