Gone Before Her Time: Goodbye Shelby

     With bereft sadness and grief, we mourn not one, but two souls sent ahead to the rainbow bridge this year.  This month has brought the sudden and unexpected close of another chapter of life.  Yesterday, Shelby was admitted to the animal hospital fighting an internal, uterine infection and she was so weak that just getting up was a hardship.  After consulting with the vet, we were given a forty percent chance at full life and recovery.  Sadly, we took a gamble and lost.  At about four in the morning, I received a call from our vet that no owner and best friend should have to go through.  My little girl didn't make it through her recovery after her emergency spay and passed silently in her sleep not thirty-six hours later.  I keep wondering if there was some sign, something I missed, that could have kept us from this loss.  She masked her pain so well and her behavior never really changed until her final day on this earth.  Grief mixed with irony has hit me hard.  Not three weeks to the date, she was scheduled to be spayed.  Having reached six, we accepted the unlikelihood of finding a suitable mate to match her champion pedigree and her increasing age made any pregnancy at this point not worth the risk.
     Shelby was an amazing fur kid and one that I will thank God everyday for having touched my life in such a positive way.  Words just seem to fall flat at describing the dynamic personality that shared a piece of my heart.  We raised her from puppy-hood and loved her like a daughter.  She was a happy go-lucky, cuddle bug who could never get enough "human" time.  When sadden at the loss of Clea earlier this year, she spent days at my feet and hours nestled in my lap trying to comfort me, all while grieving the loss of her mentor and big sister.  Her compassion and silent strength helped me gain perspective and reinvigorate my resolve to continue in rescuing and educating about Sibes.

   Shelby loved kids and giving kisses to all was just one of her many passions. She was the first Sibe in our kennel to receive her CGC, thus being only one test away from therapy dog work- a job at which she would have excelled.  On top of her obedience accomplishments, she was the best trail lead I've had the privilege to work with.  This season seems so empty with out her strength and guidance out front.  There was a layer of trust that Shelby and I built through the years that is sorely lacking in her absence on our team.  In addition, Shelby was also known as our "jumping bean" because of her flawless ability to sail over an agility jump with grace, poise, and beauty while hanging ten in midair.  Our girl enjoyed our backyard agility sessions, but mostly I think she just liked the chance to work her hu-mom and enjoy a little one on one attention without pack competition.  On top of all her skills, she worked side by side with me in our rescue rehabilitation.  She led the charge on using the pack to help teach and train new dogs that not all humans are bad and that life was to be enjoyed through play, toys, and constant belly rubs.  Life was not something to be feared, but something to be embraced.  Shelby was a gentle spirit and comfort to be around.  She helped so many humans and dogs to recover from their past.  I feel blessed to have shared my home with such an innocent and giving soul.  I miss my girl, but I know as I write this with unshed tears in my eyes that she will be on that rainbow bridge woo wooing for me when my time comes.  The hardest part is knowing that when I hugged her good-bye and gave her into the hands of God before her surgery, that was the final hug, the final touch, the final kiss....