Sally Ann
11) Sally-Ann was found running the streets of Boise. A good Samaritan picked her up and, with all good intention, brought her to a shelter - not realizing that it was a "kill shelter". A review of Sally-Ann convinced this shelter that she was not adoptable, but someone from the Idaho Animal Welfare group noticed her. After repeated efforts, they were able to get Sally-Ann released to them and then turned her over to Sheltie Rescue of Utah. Sally-Ann was morbidly obese but lost weight at a reasonable rate. Sally-Ann was diagnosed with a neurological problem that is leading to more severe seizures, with an enlarged heart, with failing liver and kidneys, with extremely severe arthritis, etc.. In early February, 2006, we were told that she probably had less than a month left. Very happily, Sally-Ann lived with us until mid-April, giving us an additional two months to revel in her love. On 12 April, Sally-Ann let us know that it was her time, so we took her into our vets' office, where she went to sleep one last time, being held in our loving arms as we whispered to her how much we love her. She will be greatly missed.

Maggie
12) Maggie was found at the Humane Society, badly depressed and not feeling very well. We discovered that she had a urinary incontinence problem that was been treated and cleared up with a little estrogen supplementation. She also had an intestinal irritation that improved with medical treatment. Maggie required a very special diet, because she was allergic to most common dog food ingredients. Maggie was a very pretty, six year old tri-color Sheltie (that's black, sable, and white) who loved to play with toys, kiss and cuddle, and had a wonderful attitude, was very upbeat and very loving with people. After far too short a time in her forever home, Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer and crossed the Rainbow Bridge shortly thereafter. Maggie was loved very much, brought much joy, and will be terribly missed.

Annie
13) Annie's owner in the St. George area had decided he was going to "do away with her" either by shooting her or throwing her into traffic! A neighbor intervened and brought her home. He found Sheltie Rescue and, with the help of CARE of Sevier County, Annie was transported from St. George to Richfield and then to Sheltie Rescue. Her teeth were in horrendous shape, her breath was foul, and she could hardly eat because of the pain. Despite that, foxtails all over her, and being arthritic, Annie was attentive, responsive, willing, and loving. She had a world-class dental and began acting like a kid again. She rediscovered the joy of savoring her meals with a pain- and odor-free mouth. And with some TLC and anti-inflammatory medications also enjoyed being a bouncy Sheltie again with much less arthritic pain. She was such a joy to have around! In June, 2006, Annie was diagnosed with adenoid carcinoma, an aggressive and invasive cancer. She fought valiantly, but in late July, it became obvious that the cancer was completely taking over her muzzle, including her breathing passages and even her eye sockets. While we didn't believe that she was actively suffering yet, she was having difficulty breathing. Knowing that it was the right thing to do for Annie, however much it hurt us, we gently released Annie to join her old friends at the Rainbow Bridge. Annie gave us the gift of a year of her life, and we will miss her very much for a long time.

Brightie
14) Brighty belonged to a former Sheltie breeder who lives in a nearby state. The breeder is a senior who had an accident that left her unable to give her Shelties the standard of care that she wanted to give them. After trying for a year to regain that ability, she was injured again and faced several months in hospital and physical therapy. To ensure that her beloved dogs would be given the best care they could get, she contacted Sheltie Rescue. Brighty was 15 and a half years old, almost blind, and virtually deaf. His teeth were in very poor condition and he obviously had serious arthritis. We knew immediately that Brighty would not be adoptable and placed him into hospice care. He, along with his pal Dusty (see Dusty's story on our Hospice Care page) joined a fantastic family who requested the pleasure and privilege of living with this very elderly gentleman for the rest of his natural life. Unfortunately, less than a week after Brighty came into our care, he slipped into a coma during the night and, despite the best efforts of the family's veterinarian, never awoke. Brighty was assisted along to the Rainbow Bridge knowing that he was loved, warm, and safe.

Laddie
15) Laddie was the very image of the word "adorable" (just look in Webster's and you'll find his picture beside the definition — or at least you should)! He was released to us by a family with one member who had recently had some brain surgery and was having severe headaches as a result of the normal doggy noises that Laddie made throughout the day. They loved Laddie very much and turned him over to Sheltie Rescue of Utah in December, 2003, only as a last resort. Laddie was a very small, 2.5 year old (at the time) Sheltie, about 12.5" at the shoulder, and seemed to loves everybody. He was very social and got along well with people and with other dogs. Among his more delightful characteristics was that he loved to sing! Start humming a tune, and Laddie would rush over and start singing along with you. (Of course, to human ears, it might have sounded like howling, but his intent and enthusiasm were clear.) We were very happy to have placed Laddie into a wonderful home where he had a Sheltie-sister (who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in December, 2005) and where he had the opportunity to be a registered therapy dog. He even got to spend time up in the Uintah mountains and watch the moose wandering around! In early 2006, the same wonderful family adopted another Sheltie (Apache) from us, so Laddie had another companion to share his life. In mid-2006, we were saddened to learn that Laddie had been diagnosed with lymph-node cancer. For a while, it seemed that his chemotherapy was working and the cancer might have been eliminated. Unfortunately, in October, the cancer came back. This very special, loving boy fought valiantly, but the cancer began causing him more and more pain and difficulty breathing. Laddie let his mommy and daddy know early on the morning of December 16 that he was ready to cross the Bridge. He was released from his pain while held in loving arms. Laddie was one of those incredibly special dogs that come into our lives all too infrequently. We will miss him terribly.