My Beloved Shelby

You may have noticed that I've not been blogging as much recently as I did in the past...there was a reason...my Shelby has been ill. Our vet who is WONDERFUL thought it was arthritis, first meds made her ill, second meds worked on the pain for about 3 days then we saw a rapid decline in her physical being. Last night I slept beside her knowing our moments together were coming to an end...touching her coat, nuzzling her, telling her how much I loved her and watching her sleep. Today she could not get up when I called her...I cried as I told Mr. B that I could not bear to watch her suffer any longer. Our Vet was out of town until May 1st...so they referred us to an incredible office filled with loving, caring and supportive staff and their Vet was superb! Tests were ordered and when the results came back my worst fears were confirmed.

Shelby passed on today. We said our goodbyes, held her, loved on her, asked her to go towards Bubba (our son) in Heaven. As we were leaving the vet's office Shelby struggled to walk, her tail wagging, her panting unabated and her love for us so powerful that if I could have gone on this last trip with her I would have. But now I again trust in God's wisdom and mercy. We have so many memories and were so blessed to have her in our lives that we are willing to believe that she runs with our Bubba, the angels and is pain free again in Heaven. She certainly brought Heaven on earth to each of us.

So thank you for your patience...I will mourn, I will tear up, I will smile at all the Shelby memories, I will meet up with her again in Heaven...to feel her gentle breath upon my face at the waking hour, to be greeted at Heaven's gates with her loving spirit, seeing her sitting at my feet no matter what my task was with her ever present wagging tail and all the while knowing...that she was mine and I was hers...gratefully.

My Shelby Girl!

May I introduce Shelby, our 8 year old white Lab. She walks more than she runs, she snoozes more often than not and yet after she's warmed up her faithful bones she comes running towards me with the same love as her puppy days.

She is always beside me, no matter the weather or what I’m doing. She’s not a gardener but she’s my right hand. She not a photographer but she follows me on my quest for just the right light. She’s not a cook but she'd love to be the taste tester. She’s not interested in cleaning but she definitely makes way for my vacuum. She is a Labrador Retriever who hates water.

Shelby is my loyal friend, she is my protector, she greets me after 15 minutes of not being with me with the same enthusiasm as a 3 day separation. She sleeps at my side of the bed and when it’s time to wake up she lays her head near my face and exhales deeply and slowly until I open my eyes, then I hear her wagging tail thump upon the floor. She is mine and I am her’s. She knows when I’m sick, sad or in need of a hug and when I’m happy she is there to share in the glory.

She’s a big girl, all 100 pounds of her. When she gallops towards me with a full head of steam, I prepare to be knocked down but she always slows down and gently puts her head to my leg so I can pet her. I love her - totally, completely and with gratitude.

When the grandbabies visit, she wakes several times during the night to walk around to each bed and check on them when she is satisfied that they are safe then she settles down to sleep til the next check. The grandbabies crawl all over her, lovin' her and she never blinks an eye...I think she loves all their attention.

Yesterday I visited Charlene's blog My Heart's Ease and was deeply moved by her post. Charlene has a video from years ago of The Johnny Carson Tonight Show and his guest, Jimmy Stewart reading a poem about his beloved dog... go here scroll down to the Jimmy Stewart video…his poem will touch your heart!

Now I've gotta run...cause it's time to play with Shelby!