In honor of sweet Shelby

Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is the theme of a work of poetic prose written some time between 1980 and 1992, whose original creator is unknown. The theme is of an other-worldly place to which a pet goes upon its death, eventually to be reunited with its owner.
    • Gold Top Dog

    In honor of sweet Shelby

    Yesterday I got an email about a sweet golden from HB named Shelby. Shelby had been at HB for over a year. She had behavioral issues that made her unadoptable but she was also one of the sweetest dogs you could meet. Two of our most fervent volunteers, a couple named Chris and Steve, took it on themselves to work with Shelby and her issues. For the last few months, they parked their RV out at the sanctuary on the weekends and spent hours getting her ready for her forever home. Ultimately, they realized they loved her too much let her go and decided to take her home. They had 2 resident dogs and for the last month, they'd worked hard on acclimating everyone. When I saw Chris a week ago, she said things were coming along nicely. They'd just found out that their male lab, Tigger, had an aggressive form of cancer and were starting him on chemo. Shelby had also had a bout of pancreatitis but was doing better. I was shocked and heartbroken to get an email from Chris yesterday saying that they'd lost Shelby unexpectedly that day to hemangio. It just seems such a cruel twist of fate that Shelby would finally have the home and love she deserved and then this happened. I cried for them and for her. Run free sweet Shelby Crying

    • Gold Top Dog
    Run free, sweet girl.  Cathy, that is so sad.  The good thing is that she did get to know the love and compassion she deserved, if only for a short time. 
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    Very Sad to hear this.  Run free pretty one.

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     This is a lovely photo of her.  What a lovely gal!  I am so sorry for your loss.  Shelby knew love and had folks who really cared about her, investing time and patience in her training.  I wish every dog could have that!  What a shock, this is sad.

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    JackieG
    Run free, sweet girl.  Cathy, that is so sad.  The good thing is that she did get to know the love and compassion she deserved, if only for a short time. 

     

    so true.............run free sweet, gorgeous girl!

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    Oh my, Cathy -- my little Pollyanna met Shelby.  Polly was only with us 3 months (she's the one with the broken back -- there was a blood clot somewhere and she died of a stroke in my arms at 7 1/2 months old).  Polly will tell her it didn't matter how long she was in her fur-ever home, what mattered was they knew her and she knew them an you can pack a WHOLE BUNCHA LOVE in 3 months.  Specially when you know how bad 'before' was and you know how nice these folks are. 

    Then she'll show Shelby "good places to wait" and she'll get Shelby to talk about those things that were "wow moments".  For Polly it was strawberries, strawberry ice cream and whipped cream on top.  It was also haivng a FULL supper bowl every morning and night and Mom or Dad making sure no one stealed it!!  Shelby will share all about Chris and Steve and how they showed Shelby they all loved each other.

    Cathy -- my humanity STILL wrestles with how short a time we had Polly.  I'm in tears just envisioning Polly meeting Shelby.  Dogs live in the moment better than we do -- and I'm convinced they value the good "now" moments more than we know. 

    In that picture Shelby is one of those dogs with "old" eyes.  What stories she's telling now ...

    all my best and most heartfelt sympathy to Chris & Steve -- the loss of a dog in which you have put SO much of your life and heart is incredibly tragic.  It will take them a long, long time to sort out all they learned thru Shelby.  Broken Heart

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    I posted my reply earlier in today's chat after you first put Shelby's story there, Cathy, but I thought I'd move it here.  I echo what everyone else has said.  Callie, your comments were especially thoughtful.  Shelby does have "old eyes," and it's nice to think of she and Polly together.

    Awww, what a beautiful face Shelby had . . . and such a heartbreaking story.  I hope there's a very special place at the Bridge for Shelby.  Sending good thoughts and vibes to everyone who cared about her.  Run free, sweetie.

    I understand how sad you're feeling about this, Cathy.  A volunteer from our shelter fostered an emaciated mama pitbull and her 13 newborn puppies last summer.  The photos of the exhausted sweet mama were so touching.  The story seemed to have a perfect happy ending -- all the puppies thrived and went to adoptive homes.  Then it was discovered that the mama has aggressive cancer.  A really special retired couple had come forward to adopt her just before the diagnosis.  Thankfully, they adopted her anyway, despite knowing that her time with them would be very, very short.  It just broke my heart to think of how unfair the situation was.  This dog was a stray, only about 3 years old, and appeared to have had at least a couple previous litters.  I try to focus on how much love and affection she's getting in her final weeks.  I heard she was getting spoiled in her new home.

    • Gold Top Dog
    What a sweet old girl. Life just really isn't fair. I guess the good part though, is that she did get to have some very special time with some very special people Sweet dreams old gal. Run free.
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     Awww. Run free, sweet girl.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Run free, Shelby. You were loved, even if only for a brief time.
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    Sweet girl--she went to the Bridge knowing so much love and kindness in her final weeks and months here. She's going to have a lot to share about this family who moved their house (RV) to the sanctuary on weekends to be with her and to help her get ready to live with them forever. How cool is that! Hugs for all who took care of and loved Shelby,.
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    Awwwwww  . . . . . . what a pretty girl.  Run free, Shelby.

     

    Deb W.

    • Gold Top Dog
    So sorry I am just seeing this.  Run free sweet Shelby.  I am so happy that you knew love before you had to cross the bridge.  My thoughts are with Chris Steve and all those good people at HB.  ((Cathy))