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Likes: Belly rubs, walks, RUNNING FAST, watching Animal Planet, and her cats Moo Cow and Nora, playing with Rosie, jumping on and licking people, sprawling out on the couch, zoning out to Jerry, car rides, going to Phydeaux, chasing squirrels up trees.
Pet-Peeves: Being lied to by Timberwolf Organics, running out of room on the bed, the vacuum cleaner, going to the bathroom in the rain, baths, and being lied to by Timberwolf Organics.
Favorite Toy: kong stuffed with cookies, orbee bone, the Hurley, Orbee Tough Ball, The Fuzzy Wubby Man, Fleecy Knot, Hedgie, Blue Kitty--is there any toy the Shellies doesn't like? NO!
Favorite Food: Challah, Peanut Butter, Challah covered in peanut butter, anything with peanut butter on it, Bully Sticks, The Honest Kitchen, Ziwi Peak air dried lamb and venison, Nature's Variety medallions, Evanger's 100% meat, Merrick lamb squares.
Favorite Walk: Anywhere
Best Tricks: Dancing the cha-cha, standing couch jump
Arrival Story: When we discovered that not only do my cats not mind dogs, but actually like them I decided to look for one. We wanted a female German Shepherd mix and saw a picture of a dog named Maya posted by the Durham APS. We went over to see her. There she was out front being visited by another couple who had already decided they wanted her. The next day I went to PetsMart to get some cat food. The APS was having an adopt-a-thon. On a whim I asked if they had any female GSD mixes. They said yes, but she was around the corner takin' a pee. The APS lady went to get her handler and brought in the dog to meet me. I kneeled down to say hello. It was love at first sight. Spelzers decided immediately that she was going to be my dog. She stood up, put her paws on my shoulders and gave me a big hug. That was it. The Shellies was to become my first dog. When I went to visit her at the shelter it was pretty clear she was running out of time. I couldn't understand why someone wouldn't snap up this wonderful, loving dog. Then she came out and peed on the floor. I absolutely did not care. She was so excited to see me. I had planned to let her recover for a couple of days at the shelter from her spaying, but hurricane Isabel was drawing near. The shelter asked me to pick her up early to make room for the inevitible homeless pets. Since she came home in the midst of the storm it was only appropriate that her name be changed (it had been Freda). We had to negotiate accute separation anxiety, but overcame it with medication, training, patience, and lots of love. She is now free of the medication. It's as if she never had a problem at all. She is just a super good lovin', friendly, wonderful, silly dog. I am thankful every day for that well timed cat food run. The Belzers Rocks!
Bio: As far as we know Shellies was living on her own, possibly with a herd of deer which may account for her impressive leaping ability. In the fall of 2004 she ran unsuccessfully for North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, but vows to run again. Having at last made contact with the semi-elusive SASQUATCH THE MIGHTY MARMOT, Spelza has devoted herself to his teachings, and hopes to soon be able to use her gas to levitate herself. Isabel was to appear as Dimples, a brave and heroic dog, in her dad's children's novels. He has changed the books' direction and they are now being written more for older kids and "young adults." That being the case Isabel demanded that the moniker Dimples be replaced with her own name. She will now be appearing as herself. She's pretty brave in real life, saving Dad from stepping on a Copper Head. Isabel also hopes that Kevin Costner will never make a sequel to "The Postman." Last year Spelzerrelza, using her bird doggin' powers and super sniffer, helped rescue a baby robin that had been blown out of its nest in a big storm. The Shellies is obviously very proud of herself, but wants to give credit to her pup pals Lyla and Hud, and their Super Mom, for advising us as to where to take the young squab, as well as the folks at the Piedmont Wildlife Center who are taking care of her plucky little friend.
Her efforts to invade and conquer France were thwarted by Hurricane Katrina. The hordes of Spandex Volare Groomer Monkeys were instead sent to New Orleans to help in the relief effort. In response to the Federal Government's abysmal response to Katrina, and Supreme Idiot Shrub's continued ineptitude, Shellies decided to run for President of the United States and has selected her bosom chum, her comrade in booty gas, Isobel to be her Vice Presidential running mate. Isabel won in an unprecedented landslide and thanks all her supporters and staff on Dogster and Catster. As of January 22, 2006 she is now sworn in as the first female canine Jewish President of the United States. President Isabel's latest initiative is her Animal Abuse Commission. It's purpose is to urge elected officials to classify animal abuse crimes as a felony in all 50 states. If you want to help join President Isabel's Animal Abuse Commission
http://www.dogster.com/group/grp_p age.php?g=1536
Having moved on to the Rainbow Bridge and Beyond, Isabel has taken on the new roll as The Cosmic Shellies, transcending time and space, and violating all the laws of physics. She is freer than free and is everywhere all the time.
Forums Motto: To Infinity and Beyond!
The Groups I'm In: (For the love of) SQUEAKY TOYS!!!, Dogs Need Help, Grateful Dogs, Home Cooked Food and Recipes, Isabel and Rosie's Big Shrimpy, Jodidogs Support, PARADISE, Petfinder Pups!, President Isabel's Animal Abuse Commission, President Isabel's BSL Task Force, The Dogster Force, The Herding dog Lovers, The Isabel White House, Triangle Tails, We're Against Animal Cruelty!
Super Powers: Squirrel'n'Bird Radar, Super Sniffer, Cuteness Ray, Stank Fog, Power Paws, Gazelle Leap, David Bowie Blue Jean Eye
My Dearest Isabel,
Today is your rebirthday; the first that has come since your passing and moving on to the rainbow bridge. I've been so busy that I nearly forgot. You would have celebrated your sixth rebirthday; the day you came home in the middle of a hurricane, and came on by storm into my life.
I love you so. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you: your big smile, the way you greeted me when I came home, the way you were such a good big sister to Rosie, and how you would protect Moo Cow and Nora from Rosie's overly enthusiastic advances.
I see so much of you in Shelly. She shares your enthusiasm for everything, your expressive ears, and even your stubborn streak. I hope you can feel it when I rub her belly.
Rosie still misses you I think. She and Shelly aren't as tight as you too were, but they are getting closer and love to play some of the same games, though ring around hedge isn't as fun. Shelly hasn't figured out that it's about the chase, not the actual catching, but still it's a good workout.
I miss everything about you, but most of all I just miss having you here. You left me too soon my girl. This empty space in my heart is never going to go away until we meet again.
I love you so my Shellies. Watch over us, okay? We still need you.
The first morning waking without Isabel brought a new round of uncontrolled sobbing, but also a clarity of vision. We have determined the best ways to honor the sweetest Shellies. We will be sponsoring a kennel at her shelter in her memory. With their board's approval we will set up a memorial fund to help people pay for training classes (especially appropriate with all the training I did with Isabel to help her get over her separation anxiety), and by saving a life.
While at the shelter yesterday to talk about the memorials we decided to visit the dogs. We met one with that spark of pure joy that Isabel had. We got to meet her in a private room. She hugged and kissed us just like the Shellies did when I met her for the first time. She chose us and there was nothing we could do about it accept fill out the paperwork and put down a deposit. We also had her feline tolerance tested. She passed with flying colors.
Of course Rosie had the right of refusal, just like Isabel did when I was getting ready to adopt Rosie. We brought her to the shelter this morning for the meet up. They got along right away. Ellie (her shelter name), got a little rude with Rosie who gave a quick bark and snap to put her in her place. Ellie was responsive and took her cue well, no fussing at all. Then it was back to the sniffing and greeting. We could tell Rosie really liked her because she wanted to follow Ellie when they took her to the visitation room.
So it turns out that by adopting Ellie we may be saving the lives of four dogs: Ellie, the dog who will be taking her place in the foster program, and the two dogs who will get spots in those open kennels.
I know that Isabel's tail is whirling like a propellor over that.
Our grief is still heavy, and it is hard just to see her picture, just as it was hard to come home from work today for the first time since she left. That process will continue, and the hole in our hearts will always be there. But knowing that Isabel's spirit will glow through our home with the joy and zest for life that Ellie has, just like Isabel's, will bring some much needed comfort to our pack, especially to Rosie who has never been without a sister since I've had her.
To her credit, Rosie has been a real godsend. She still looks for Isabel when we go out and come inside, but she still leaps and dances for her dinner, still gives her hugs and kisses, and has been extra snuggly. In many ways, she is being the strong one for us.
We should be taking her from the shelter on Friday, provided her surgery goes as scheduled. Since she's such an exuberant pup (only 6 months old), and Rosie is such a playful one, Ellie is going to spend a few days recuperating in a quieter place, under medical supervision, from her spay surgery. We'll get a few pictures up with a new page once she's officially ours.
It's a big leap of faith, but then so was getting Isabel. We are deeply pained by her departure, but feel she is guiding this. We feel so blessed to have been chosen by such a beautiful and spirited dog like Ellie. We didn't think it would happen so soon, but I think the Shellies had other plans.
I also want to thank all our dear old friends who have been sending paw mail and presents. We don't come here like we used to, but you are always in our thoughts and it's gratifying to see so many of you here.
We will respond later when things have quieted, and the tears slow up. But know that your kind words mean so much to us. We love you all.
I received a call yesterday afternoon from my girlfriend. She was frantic and in tears. She had let my dogs out to go to the bathroom and play outside in the fenced yard in front of our house. She went inside to use the bathroom. In the few minutes there was someone came knocking on the door. She dashed out to see who it was. It was our next door neighbor who had brought the dead body of Isabel Roverandom to our yard. She had been struck by a car and killed instantly. Our gates were closed. There was no sign of them digging themselves out. It is highly unlikely that they both managed to climb over the fence. We suspect they might have been let out by some asshole in our neighborhood. We just don't know.
The only thing I do know is that my best friend, the sweetest most loving dog that has ever lived, was killed by someone speeding down our quiet street, who didn't even have the decency to stop. Because of someone's desire to get somewhere, on our going to nowhere street, my dog is dead. I will never get to snuggle her, or sleep with her, walk with her, or play with her again.
I am beside myself with grief. I was supposed to have more time. I was supposed to watch her grow old. I was supposed to have my dog alive when I came home so she could jump all over me, and shower me with her hugs and kisses, which she did when we first met and she told me that I was going to be her dad. Now she'll never be here to hug me again.
Rosie, who was also out, is unharmed physically. I gave her chance to see Isabel's body. She sniffed and kissed her, and growled some, wondering why she wouldn't get up. I wept over her body for I don't know how long.
She was my first dog. She had terrible separation anxiety and required a lot of training, and medicine to help her get over it. But adopting her Rosie is what really made the difference. They healed each other. Both had their issues; separation anxiety, and an early life of abuse and neglect. They became fast friends, thick as thieves, as we all were in our pack. Now one of us is gone, and my heart is broken.
We have made arrangements for her to be buried at a place she loved, and where we can visit her as much as we want. We thought about burying her at our home, but nowhere is permanent and the thought of us moving away and leaving her with strangers is just something I couldn't live with. She will be buried in a place of fond memories, grounds kept by people who cared for her and loved her.
We have already decided that the best way to honor her is to begin, when we're ready, to foster dogs from the local shelter where Isabel was when I adopted her. If we find one who fits our family, and is universally loved by all the furry members, then that dog will have a forever home with us.
Isabel, I love you with all my heart and soul and will always, but it will never compare to the love you gave to me. You taught me more about myself than I could have ever learned on my own: the nature of love, and that even in a world populated by greedy, selfish, bastards who would just as soon slit your throat and burn your house down, there are souls on this earth who know no malice, who are devoid of guile, and who can touch our spirits and enliven us in ways we could not possibly have imagined. You were one of those souls. Your sister is as well. If I ever encounter another with one tenth of your brilliance then I will consider myself blessed.
I love you more than words can tell, and that will never change. Time heals all wounds they say, but no matter where I go, or what I do, the love you brought will remain with me. And one day, we will meet again in that far green country, 'neath the swift sunrise.
Travel safely my angel. Watch over your sister, and all of us. And if you can, beam some of that boundless love you gave into every living soul so that maybe this world will begin to turn around.
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