OUR TWO SHELTIES

 (SURROUNDED BY LOVE)

By Tom Balogh

  My wife Myra and I are the proud parents of two beautiful adopted Shelties.  Wesley, a 4-year-old tri-color, jet-propelled male was our first late last year, and this month we adopted a 10-year-old sable female sweetheart named Lady.  

   We have had several dogs over the years, most of which were either adopted from family members that couldn't keep them or from other rescuers.  We have had everything from a five-pound deaf, half blind, toothless toy poodle, rescued from a dumpster, to a 130-pound collie found starving, chained to a tree. 

  Late last year we lost our poodle and collie to old age and then found that one of our cocker spaniels, a 10-year-old, had an incurable kidney disease. Our other cocker, a 14-year-old, is at an age where she just wants to spread out on the rug. Our lhasa apso is more of a loner.

  Each time we suffered the loss of a beloved pet, my wife would say, "No more dogs."  But thankfully, she has given in to me and loves them as much as I do.

  Fate stepped in one Saturday when I happened to go to the Mishawaka Petsmart. It was an adoption day, and I spotted Wesley there with his foster mom, Lisa Newell.  I wasn't really searching for another pet at the time, but when I saw Wesley I just couldn't resist.  He was barking a lot and there was a note on his cage saying, "I don't really bark like this all the time."  (Wanna bet? He should be called a "Barkus Extraordinarius").  Lisa said she didn't come to the adoptions all the time and just happened to go to this one on a fluke. 

  When "Wes" came out of the cage and onto my lap, I was hooked.  It was a cold day, but I immediately went out to my truck and made out the application. I didn't want to take a chance on him going anywhere but our house.  He has become my constant companion, and although we've had some very good dogs, Wesley has that "something special" we all long for. 

  I know that the way this came together was just meant to be for both of us. We're so happy with Wes and again, didn't plan on another adoption. But fate stepped in once again with Lady.  When I read Lady's story about years of neglect and saw her picture, it was if she was looking directly at me, saying, "I'm ready to go home."  My heart went straight out to her.  I took her story and photo home and told Myra, "I think we should take care of this little girl."  My wife is a sweetheart too, but was a little skeptical.  She knows me very well though, and consented with certain "contractual requirements." 

  When we walked into Lisa's home and saw Lady, I knew it was the right decision to give this little girl a good life and all the love she deserved.  Lady was very shy, quiet and reserved at first, but in less than a week she is now a normal Sheltie barker, loudly greeting me at the door, giving kisses, chasing her own tail, and running the backyard with Wesley, the two of them having the time of their lives together.  It's as if she already knows this is her forever home.
 
   It's hard to explain the feelings one gets almost immediately with a Sheltie, but I think anyone who has one knows what I mean. Healing their broken hearts does so much for your own. Seeing the special look in their eyes during an ear scratch or lap cuddle is an emotional reward that would be difficult to match anywhere. 

  I would urge anyone who wants a great loving companion to adopt a Sheltie.  If you already have one, get another. I guarantee you'll get double the love and looks that always say, "Thanks Mom & Dad, we love you."