In Memory of Shelby

 

Dear Homeward Bound,

It was August 16, 2004. I held her in my lap. An aggressive tumor in her neck under her left jaw. The first sign, four weeks ago when she quit barking. Then loss of appetite. Her two favorite activities, barking and eating. Shelby was 14 years old the best we know. She was an owner surrender in November 2002. I brought her home as a foster dog on February 4, 2003, took her to a few adoptions at Petco, but nobody wanted her because she was too old. We fell in love with her and adopted her June 26, 2003. We knew we wouldn't have her long, but that was O.K. Although we didn't have much time together, the weeks and months were sweet and we have many treasured memories.

Shelby was a feisty girl and very busy for an old dog. She took on the responsibility as the house watchdog because her brother, Bosley, is worthless. When the doorbell rang, she jumped up barking as if she had been jabbed by a cattle prod. Going out to the backyard, Shelby started barking before making her exit from the kitchen to give plenty of warning to any 2- or 4- legged intruders. Garbage day was her favorite and most active day of the week. As those noisy trucks went by our fence all day, Shelby let them know that she would like nothing better than to take a chunk out of one of them. One went by as our 74-year-old friend, Darryl, was taking her for a walk, and she almost jerked him out into the street. 

Shelby's most important job, though, was to watch and follow, that is, to watch and follow Richard, everywhere he went, all day long. The living room, kitchen, bathroom, backyard, garage. The poor old girl sometimes got up and waddled after him maybe thirty times a day. She adored Richard. She was his girl and he misses her terribly.
We take comfort in the fact that we made Shelby's final time here a wonderful life, full of love each day, walks in the park twice a day rain or shine, a comfortable bed to sleep in each night, close to where she could keep an eye on Richard at night. We loved Shelby dearly and will always treasure the short time we all had together.