Happy 5th Birthday Levi!!!!!!!

 

Since it is Wordless Wednesday I am going to keep this short......but just because it's short, doesn't mean it isn't LOADED with LOVE!!!

Our Levi is turning 5 today! Sooooooooo hard to believe!!!! He is the most confident, determined, brazen and LOVING boy I have ever known. We LOVE HIM TO PIECES!!

The original photos were taken by Brittney at his beloved Canine College (you can see the originals on Facebook today if you are on there). I took the liberty of adding what I am pretty darned sure Levi was thinking.

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO OUR MOST SPECIAL BOY!!!

While you may drive us all crazy at times, we couldn't love you more!

Mom, Dad and Roary

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Five Years Ago Today

 I'm repeating this post (with just a change in the title) for my sweet Dakota because I love it. 

 My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

 I had always loved the name "Dakota" and when I was selecting a name for him I had looked up the meaning. In American Indian the name "Dakota" meant "trusted friend." He completely lived up to his name and more. 

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Four Years Ago Today

 My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

 I had always loved the name "Dakota" and when I was selecting a name for him I had looked up the meaning. In American Indian the name "Dakota" meant "trusted friend." He completely lived up to his name and more. 

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

National Pet Day 2024-Thankful Thursday

 Yes, yes I know!! EVERY DAY is National Pet Day but someone decreed THIS DAY as the OFFICIAL National Pet Day!

Today, as we do EVERY DAY we honor the pets who have come before, as well as those currently in our lives. My focus today are the two silly boys who I am blessed to share my life with!

First, because he arrived first, is our silly Roary!

Roary is super curious, talkative, loving and over all a very good boy!!! He unintentionally falls through the cracks sometimes because Levi is so incredibly demanding. We love this adorable, quirky fellow and he knows it!!

These photos were taken yesterday of Levi and our postal carrier (Natalie). Levi and I take a walk every day in our complex searching out Natalie. Why? Because not only is she a postal carrier, she is also, (according to Levi), the MilkBone carrier!!!!! Levi can spot that truck waaay down the street and will drag me to get to her!

Wishing all of you a Happy National Pet Day!!! I know we are all sure thankful for all of the pets who share our lives! Love to all of you and your pets!

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Three Years Ago Today

  My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

 I had always loved the name "Dakota" and when I was selecting a name for him I had looked up the meaning. In American Indian the name "Dakota" meant "trusted friend." He completely lived up to his name and more. 

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Levi!!!

 

So hard to believe that fluffy puppy (in the two photos on the right above), has now been with us TWO YEARS!! Levi loves EVERYTHING that is BIG!! Giant bully sticks, giant KONGS, giant trucks (Levi LOVES watching large trucks), He loves to make himself even taller by sitting on the top of the couch and loves to stand on chairs and anything taller than he is.

 Happy 2nd Gotcha Day to our boy with the BIG PERSONALITY, BIG AND LOVING HEART and BIG, DEEP BARK!!!

You have been quite the challenge for Mom and Dad the past two years, thanks to you we have learned A LOT!! (Whether we want to or not! lol)

You fill our home with noise, excitement, (sometimes chaos) and ohhhhhhhhhhhh so much love!! Your loving, cuddly, snuggly ways have saved you dear Levi! lol!!!! It's all good! We wouldn't want it any other way!!!

We love you "Levi G!!" Aka "Levi Rowdy"

HAPPY 2ND GOTCHA DAY!!

Love, Mom, Dad and Roary

Happy National Dog Day 2022!!!

 Happy National Dog Day! 

from Levi!!

The photo on the top left and the photo on the bottom right
 were taken by Alyssa Paris from Canine College

In honor of this special day, I wanted to share some of my favorite Sheltie and dog quotes with you:

"If Lassie had been a Sheltie, Timmy never would have fallen in the well in the first place."

"Silence is golden, unless you have a Sheltie, then it's SUSPICIOUS!"

"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen."--Orhan Pamuk

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog and none of them are wrong."--W.R. Purche

For our final quotes, we are sharing a photo of our beloved Angel Dakota:

"Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart."

"Shelties, once they love, they love steadily. unchangingly, till their last breath."

"Having a dog will bless you with the happiest days of our life, and one of the worst days."

I wouldn't have it ANY other way! Kisses to all of the woofies out there!!

If I don't approve comments right away it's because I'm having a lithotripsy, will approve them later in the day or tomorrow!! Thanks for visiting!!

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Two Years Ago Today

 My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He was the polar opposite of Levi!!! He wasn't confident and actually LOOKED and paid attention to where he was walking not ramming into people and walls BOL!

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

He was sooo much smaller than Levi! At Dakota's largest he was 28 lbs, most of his life he was 25 pounds (Levi is 36 lbs and about 3 inches taller.)

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

Sweet Dakota, please know that NO OTHER dog could EVER replace you. You ALWAYS are in our hearts and on our minds. Levi didn't replace you, as "Dr.Smiley" said when I felt guilty when I had adopted Cody two weeks after my Bobo passed, "You aren't replacing him, you are making NEW memories with another pet. He would want you to give the same love to another pet that you gave to him."

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

Happy Heavenly Birthday To Our Precious Dakota

  Dear Dakota, today, you would have been 15 years old. It is the second birthday in 15 years that you are not here with us. The photo below was taken a few days before your 13th birthday.....I never dreamed it would be your last on this Earth.

There isn't a day that goes by that your Daddy and I don't think of you, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't mention your name, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss you, there isn't a day that goes by where we don't still love you. We will NEVER stop loving you. .

Our precious Dakota, we miss that incredible smile

 and your Sheltie kisses. 

Daddy gave you this sign on your 9th birthday

It was perfect and I love it maybe even more now

 You were our FIRST Sheltie, you gave us 13 incredible years......you loved us til your last breath with all of your heart.

I should be making you your traditional hamburger for your birthday. You loved those traditional birthday burgers so much, and I loved watching you enjoy them.

Please never forget how much Daddy and I miss you

 and how much we still love you.

Happy Birthday in Heaven our precious Sheltie Boy.......

Never, ever forget how much Daddy and I miss you and love you. Happy Birthday precious Dakota,   love from Mommy and Daddy forever..........

Happy FIRST Gotcha Day to our Crazy Levi! (Rowdy)

 A year ago today a LARGE 9 and a half week old bundle of FUR joined our family!!! Suffice it to say our life as we knew it, would NEVER be the same!

Today I am sharing three collages that show Levi then and now, hoping you enjoy them!!

That serious puppy face hasn't changed!! Levi STILL has that serious face!! 

L-loving

E-Energetic

V-Vivacious 

I-Intelligent

The photo on the top left was one of the first we took of Levi.  (He would give Gene Simmons a run for his money with that tongue!!) The two photos at the bottom of the above collage crack me up. It's hard to believe that at one point Roary and Levi were much closer to being the same size. By the looks of Roary's face on the photo on the right, Roary CLEARLY is laughing off Levi's "top of the charts" Sheltie size.

Levi is one of the most confident, bold, boisterous, clumsy (and at the same time agile, if that makes any sense!) dogs that I have ever known.

He often gets a bad rap. He has the bark of a Doberman, but loves to cuddle like a baby on the couch. Because he is much larger than the average Sheltie, some people think that Levi is older than his 14 months, thus they have much higher  behavior expectations.

Levi LOVES to make noise. He can't play with a toy without climbing on top of a crate or the couch where he  watches with joy as he flings the toy to the ground with just enough force to make the crashing toy sound loud and abrasive. Speaking of toys, he HAS to play with whatever he has right in front of our faces, Levi LOVES having an audience.

His other current LOVES are Dad and Mom, his beloved bully sticks, (we ALWAYS have to keep some extras around), his brother Roary (although Levi has a strange way of showing his love for him), his Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill,

His Aunt Nancy

And, one of his ALL TIME FAVORITES, who he loves with all of his wild and crazy Sheltie-self, his trainer......Dylan.

Levi is a super quick learner (when he wants to be) and is extremely intelligent. He is brave, fearless and if he greats you in a wild and crazy way, it is more likely than not, that it is his way of showing you that he is happy to see you and he is CERTAIN that you are happy to see him as well.

Happy Happy First Gotcha Day to our loving, wild and crazy Levi (Rowdy).....you definitely march to your own drummer, we often feel as if you actually came to us from another planet, (but he actually came from Ohio where his amazing breeder, Sue, of Greyfyre Shelties, has become a dear friend, Sheltie advisor and confidante!).......but when we get those famous cuddles and Sheltie kisses, we wouldn't have it ANY other way!! We LOVE YOU LEVI!!!!!