MEMORIES
Shasta came to us in June of 1997. Early in March Jon had discovered her lying in the middle of the road on his way home from a soccer game. He stopped and was even afraid to approach her. She was muddy, matted and extremely unkept. Jon stopped every car that went by asking if they knew who she belonged to. Finally a woman drove up-happy to tell Jon all about Shasta. Tell him how she hadn't been brushed in over 2 years because of her allergies. How she ran all over town because she didn't want to put up a fence. How she had been to doggie jail 10 or more times because of her running away. Jon got the woman's name and number and gave it to me. I called, offered to help her groom or whatever she needed. She took our phone #. I called every two weeks, checking on Shasta, only to hear of her escapades all over town. Finally in June her owner called us frantic. Shasta was in Jail and they were going to fine her $2000.00 unless she could find a good home for her. Would we take her? OF COURSE! She drove her out the following Saturday-stopping first at Mcdonald's to give her her favorite meal. (sigh) Shasta was a sight. The owner hugged her goodbye and promised to call weekly. She never called or returned our calls to tell her how well Shasta was doing. It took 11 hours to cut the mats out of her coat. Her tail was so heavily coated with feces that she couldn't even wag. She waited patiently while two of us worked on her. When she was done she was beautiful!!! She ran around and around, feeling pretty for the first time in years.
Shasta came to detest getting her feet wet or being out in the rain. She allowed no bird to enter the airspace without us knowing. Her favorite things were to ride in the car,truck or horsetrailer, lay supremely in the driveway, sleep in the dry barn with the horse,chase the neighbors car away from the fence and guard her "children"
Shasta became ill in March of this year. She began showing signs of of a depressed immune system. The x-rays told us that she had bone cancer and a large tumor. We made the family decision to let Shasta have her dignity and tell us when she was ready rather than subject her to tests and treatments that would prolong her pain. In June she told us it was indeed time. Shasta is buried under the site of our new barn, the room that is to house future puppies as they enter the world. The kids chose this site so she will be able to watch over them, as she did with each puppy we have brought home (after, of course she forgave us for bringing "another one" home) Shasta was 6 years old.
Rest easy Shasta, not a day goes by where we don't think of you.
When Alex was diagnosed with Diabetes at 6 years old. Shasta knew something was wrong first. While she was in the hospital she searched and searched for her child. The only way to pacify her was to take her to the hospital where she sniffed Alex, made sure she was okay in that strange bed and lay down in the doorway with a big sigh and slept for the first time in three days. Her child was safe.
