Today I lost my girl. Shelby had several more seizures, and the vet finally said there was nothing more that could be done for her. She is now at peace - no more suffering. Everyone who met Shelby seemed to fall in love with her. She was only three years old, and she had such a short life. But she brought a lot of joy to others in those three short years.
The first time I saw a picture of Shelby was when someone posted her on my Facebook page. She was in an animal shelter and they were trying to find a rescue for her because she was deaf.
I didn't fall in love with her right away. I was nervous about taking in a new dog without being able to evaluate her first, and it didn't help when the lady who transported her to me called to ask if I had a crate because she was awful in the car. I didn't have a crate, so fashioned a harness for her and hoped for the best. All the way on the 30 minute drive home, she bounced around as far as she could in her harness and barked constantly at every passing car. She was so excited, and I was a little bit nervous of her. After all, a large dog that I had just met was barking in my ear and lunging past me trying to get to any cars that came by. I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Then we got home and she calmed down as soon as the car stopped. I took her inside and introduced her to the other dogs. She was so easy-going. A couple of the dogs were being rude and pushy, and she just ignored them. I was very relieved, since my biggest fear was that she wouldn't do well with the other dogs.
Within a few days, I started getting really attached to Shelby. It wasn't just that she was such an easy dog to care for, or that she was so affectionate. It wasn't just because she had one brown eye and one blue eye - a combination I love. It wasn't even just because she was such a sweet girl and so eager to please. I couldn't define it, but within a week I was totally in love with her. I so much wanted for her to have a long, wonderful life. I connected with Shelby in a way that I do with very few dogs, and having to say good-bye to her today was heartbreaking. But I am relieved that she is no longer suffering, and I am glad that I got to know her and love her for the short time that she was here.
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| Shelby 2008 - 2012 |
25 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful girl and gone much too soon. I know how much you loved her and how hard you tried to treat her so she would be healthy. As hard as it is (I've been there myself), just know that she was happy and loved for the time that she was with you. You gave her a chance that she may not have had otherwise and for that, I'm sure she was very grateful. RIP Shelby - you will be missed!
You gave her the greatest gift, a chance to be loved, and to love back. She got to be somebody's heart dog.
That is very wonderful and sad. So sorry for your loss
I am so sorry for your loss.
But really, Shelby in your life was such an incredible thing, and losing her isn't so much a loss as it is something gained. Memories, lessons, and lots of love.
What a blessed dog to have met you when she did.
There are no words for the loss of a beloved companion. Know that you showed Shelby the love she never knew and she'll be there when it's your time to go.
I am so sorry for your loss.
barbara
I'm so sorry. This is heartbreaking. I'm so glad Shelby got to come home with you and feel so much love from you. I know she loved you very much too. Thank you for being there for her and taking care of her.
Love, Eileen
I am so very sorry to hear about Shelby.
Run FREE and FAST.
Shelby was a beautiful girl and it sounds like you gave her a wonderful life, something she almost missed out on. I'm so sorry for your loss, I can see why she made her way into your heart and family.
We're so sorry. It's always a difficult choice, but we have to put aside our feelings and do what's best for them. You did a good thing for her.
Sue
I'm so sorry for your loss... Run free at the bridge sweet girl...
Shelby was a lucky girl. She won the "dog lottery" when she got you as a mom. I know she will want you to keep doing what you are doing by saving other deaf dogs. When you are ready, please let Nitro and I find you another deaf baby to take into your heart. I know Shelby would want you to save other deaf dogs that may never see the light of day. Shelby was a light that was short lived but while she was here she burned very bright. You will see her again someday. We are sorry your heart is broken. Hugs and Licks from Nitro and I - Christina and Nitro - Deaf Dogs Rock
We is so very sorry fur your loss. Run free sweet Shelby.
Blessings,
Maggie Mae and Max
Oh, Laurie, I'm so, so sorry about Shelby. I know you must be heartbroken. She was a very special girl and she was VERY lucky to have spent her last days being so loved by you. Sending you lots of hugs (and Mayzie sends brindle kisses) from Colorado.
Amber
I'm so, so, sorry! If it makes you feel any better (and it might not right now ... being that it was such a short time ago) know that she had the happiest last weeks on earth a dog could hope for. Some dogs never find someone who truly understands them, and she had you! Know that blogville loves and supports you. Wiener dog kisses from my current foster!
I'm so sorry, Laurie. She was, indeed, lucky to have you in her short life.
So sorry to hear
Shelby passed. You did a wonderful thing for her and loved her til the end.
So sorry to hear of your loss of Shelby. When my 2 yr old golden died last year I was a wreck for months. I found a chat room moderated by pet loss counselors who helped a lot.
http://aplb.org/index.html free to join and everyone there has experienced the loss of a pet. People log on from all over N. America.
Virtual hugs. They know me there as Zander.
So sorry to hear this. I am glad she was with you the past couple weeks, and knew what love was. We will be thinking of you.
We fell in love with her too - such a sweet face and gentle eyes full of love. We are sorry you had to say good-bye to her so soon. But we are glad she had you and that she wasn't all alone in her illness. Rest in peace sweet girl. You were loved.We are thinking of you DFM and sending you our heartfelt love on such a tough day.
the critters in The Cottage xo
Oh, we are so, so sorry to hear this. She was such a sweet and beautiful girl.
Thank God she did not die in a cold, loud shelter with no one to love her. She got to experience a real home, car rides, and warmth and food with you, Laurie. She is in a better place, waiting for you.
I'm so sorry - we are sending you hugs and love.
Sam
We are so sorry for your loss. That was a beautiful story. But another blogger was right, you helped give her a home when she could have died in the shelter without love. That is definitely something to be happy about.
Nicole and Macho
Thank you for taking her in and showing her love. I'm sure your connection meant just as much to her.
I am so sorry for your loss of Shelby. You made her short life so much brighter. Thank you for all you do for so many wonderful pets.
I'm so sorry to hear about sweet Shelby. I know it makes it harder for you to bear, but I'm glad she got to be loved my you as much as she was. She got to spend her last weeks as someone's heart dog.
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