My barkday

It is so nice to be remembered on my birthday. I would be 33 (!) if I were alive today. I was Mom's first Sheltie, and was very very special. I started her love of Shelties, and look at all the Shelties (4) she has had since me. :-)

I am a happy girl at the Bridge - I was loved, but I do miss my Mom and her family. A lot of Dogster dogs have made my birthday happier by sending me notes and gifts. I am grateful to each one of you.

Sincerely,

Autumn.

Being Poor

Mom needs to remember that she knows how to be poor. She did it for years. I am sad for Mom, because she has not had to struggle for a long time, but she struggled financially most of the time she had me, and she needs to remember how happy we were despite it all. I am sending good wishes down from the bridge to Mom, Cheri and Kenzie. I just know that they will be OK. God will take care of them. He always has. Hopefully, their lives won't have to change too much. I just wish I could be there to give them a little hug.

--Autumn

Thankful

As I look down on earth at my Mom and her new family of dogs, I am so happy. It makes me proud that, all because of me and because of how much she loved me (and LIKED me and was happy with me all my life), that Mom has gone on to give more Shelties good homes. I wish I could be there. Mom is older now, and is more settled and is more of a homebody than she used to be, but there are so many more things for dogs to do and participate in than there was when I was alive, and Mom is having such fun with Cheri and Kenzie. Oh, to once again lie in front of the fireplace in the Rock Room as Mom sits nearby with a cup of cocoa!!! But the Rock Room is gone, because Mom now lives in another house, a house that has lots more space, but no rock columns. Mom loves her home now. I would like to be there, too. But the memories will always be with me of my pillow-bed in that Rock Room, and the warmth of that home, and the special care that was given to me. I LOVED cheese!! If Mom would even say the word "cheese", I would lick my lips--she thought that was very funny!!!

I was not a show dog, nor an obedience or agility dog like Celene, Cheri & Kenzie, nor a trickster with a hatful of tricks like Saebra was, but Mom was SO proud of me, and all just because of who I was. I was a FRIEND, a lady, and it was my job to shelter Mom's heart from breaking as she matured and went through a lot of ups and downs. I think I did a pretty good job. Because of me, Mom was never alone. I was a stable force in her life, which was especially important because everyone in Mom's family lived far away during my life.

We went for walks. We went on trips. I was always welcome at friends' houses. Mom played with me on the floor a lot, because I didn't play with toys. I even went to work with her a couple of times, and one time I was there all day, lying quietly under her drafting table, and nobody knew I was even there until the end of the day, though they all walked past me constantly, because Mom's table was in the middle of a thoroughfare.

Even in my later years, when Mom had to travel on business weekly without me, she found a friend who would care for me in her home, so I would not have to be put in a cage or a run somewhere. I had a good time with Aunt Frances, and she liked my company, too. It was nice to be in a home, and I was able to take my pillow-bed with me. Aunt Frances was very good to me; her home was the best possible place for me to be in Mom's absence. I missed my Mom, and she missed me too, but I understood that she had to travel like that for a while.

Thankfully, for the last few months of my life, Mom was home with me all day, every day. She lost her job because her office closed, and she started her own business from home, and I was delighted to spend more time with her. That made up for the traveling that she had done. She always took good care of me, until the end. I hated to go, but I was old and sick. Even in my death, she cared for me, though. I was buried in a special place alongside the German Shepherd Ozark, who was the "best friend" of Mom's best friend. She did not want me to be alone, and I am buried where Mom can visit my grave, even today.

I look down from the heavens, and I cannot help but see the bright yellow leaves that are covering Mom's yard, and I just know she is thinking of me. It makes me smile. After all, my name is Autumn.

Twenty Years Ago

It was twenty years ago today that I left earth for the Rainbow Bridge. It was so hard for Mom to let me go. My Mom still remembers me fondly - I know I am in her heart every day still. I am at peace, knowing that I had the best home, and the best care that Mom could give me. I am at peace knowing that Mom chose to have Shelties ever since. Saebra was a great companion to Mom, though she was way different from me. Cheri's personality is more liike mine was. Beautiful Celene, poor thing, only lived a half-life, and only half of that half-life was with Mom. But she was treasured just as much and is sadly missed as we all are. Kenzie---well, she is just too funny!!! LOL

I had a good home. I had a big pillow-bed, and a wicker basket with a soft cushion in it to sleep in at night. Mom took me places. I went to several states and was always welcome wherever I traveled. We first lived in a small apartment, only one bedroom, then in a small house, and finally in a bigger house. Mom traveled a lot during my later years and I used to stay with my Aunt Frances when Mom was out of town. Sometimes, though, Mom would take me with her to Oklahoma City to her apartment. I loved being with my mom, but Aunt Frances was good to me and she was a little more forgetful that I was around, allowing me to snatch cookies off the coffee table occasionally. Of course, I knew I was doing wrong and would hang my head in shame. Nobody had to punish me - I punished myself. Aunt Frances thought it was funny how I punished myself.

I just hope and pray that someday I will get to see my mom again. I still love her so much.

--Autumn

New here too

I am new here, as is Saebra. We joined at the same time. I feel so special. I was Mom's first Sheltie, and am very proud to tell people that I am the reason that she kept on getting more Shelties after I left earth. It was all because she thought I was such a great dog--and, by the way, she was right!!!
I had very humble beginnings in a puppy mill, but things worked out well for me at Mom's. I am thankful. I was loved my entire life.

I had a red sable coat, so I guess I was the closest to being the "blonde" of the bunch, as Saebra, Celene and Kenzie are very dark sables and of course, Cheri doesn't count at all because she is black!!! However, I am VERY smart, so I don't want to hear a bunch of blonde jokes thank you very much!

Cheri and I share the pointy ears, but I think mine were bigger. I think they are quite cute actually.
None of us are conformation dogs anyway, though Celene did, as I understand it, did get to do a little conformation early on before living with Mom. There are so many more dog activities nowadays than there were when I was with Mom. Oh to have been able to try obedience, agility, to attend pet fairs, and special doggy stores. What fun that would have been.

Gosh---when I was on earth, Mom didn't even own a crate for me!!! Now look at all the crates around the house!!!

I was happy nonetheless. Mom used to spend a lot of time with me and she loved playing with me. I always felt very special. Mom's family all loved me. I did get to be a finalist in a Tulsa citywide "Party Animal" contest shortly before I left earth. What fun it was to dress up and do that.

ALSO HEAR THIS!!!!! It was ME that started the bandana-wearing trend around Mom's house!!!

Well, I hope that other doggies will like me and I will get some new friends. I am looking forward to this new experience.

--Autumn