Page Last Updated: August 09, 1999 15:26
WHO AM I ?
Now that is a good question. Often when people ask me about myself and who I am, I usually reply with a smile "I'm just Shirlene". Exactly who Shirlene is, is yet to be determined. As I struggle down the path of self discovery and personal growth, I am learning more and more about myself. In time I may just be able to answer the "Who am I?" question. In the meantime here is some biographical data about me.
I was born on June 22nd 1965, the eldest daughter of 5 children, in Melbourne, Australia. My childhood was not an easy one and I view it more as a period of time that I survived rather than lived. I am a Registered Nurse by Profession (I started nursing in 1983) and have seen the profession evolve and change over the years (but that's another story).
Whilst I was living in England for a short while, this beautiful little 7 week old Cairn Terrier puppy found her way into my life and into my heart. She was so tiny and so precious and I loved her from the moment she was placed into my arms. I am certain that it was fate that brought us together.....there were many lesson that I needed to learn in life and she was sent to teach me.
"Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything and love is all there is."- Gary Zukav
Toto was only 9 months old when I decided to return to Australia from England. Sending her alone ahead of me was a really difficult thing to do. She left England 2 weeks before me and the day I took her to the pet transport company I had all these wonderful plans of staying with her until she was settled and of making the separation easier for both of us. The reality is that when something hurts....it hurts....simple as that. Toto could sense my anxiety and felt my fear...I was a mess emotionally and could do no more than place her in the arms of the woman there and turn and walk away. My eyes were full of tears and I was so afraid as to how she would cope with the journey (at least a 24 hour flight).
When I was finally reunited with her just over 2 weeks later in the Melbourne Quarantine Station, I was overjoyed and sitting with her held safely in my arms was an incredible feeling of relief and happiness. All up she spent 1 month in quarantine and I think that was the longest month in my life.....I believe that she coped with it all better than I did.
"...love knows not it's own depth until the hour of separation." - Kahlil Gibran
TOTO AT REST AND AT PLAY
Toto
in the snow 
Toto in the sun
Queen Toto ?
Shhhh!! 
Chewing a box
"I wish people would realise that animals are totally dependent, helpless, like children; a trust that is put upon us"- James Herriot
DOG AGILITY TRAINING AND TOTO
This section will always be under construction as more images of Toto and her agility adventures unfold
Learning to Jump
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face" - Bern Williams
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE LINKS
Dog links:
The Lost Dogs' Home in Melbourne, Australia
Pet Network - Online Shopping Store for all your Pet Accessories
0n-line pet products and pet supplies frame index
I would really love to hear from you !!
© Copyright -Shirlene 1999
