Really not a good year
Ever heard the phrase: "Things happen in threes"? Well, unfortunately, I have some evidence to offer the numerologists out there. First, there was Woody. Then, Monkey. Now, we've lost Shasta, a beautiful Lab, who at almost 15 was practically ancient. While Woody was a bit of a PITA, Shasta was a sweetheart. She had a good run and I feel bad that I can't do her justice because I'm just too wrung out when it comes to writing these posts. The pic below will have to speak for itself for now; I'll leave it to the rest of the family to eulogize her properly in the comments. Bye Shazzy.
Sweetest, most tolerant animal I have ever loved, we thought she may have been Buddah. If you let her, she would have been a lap dog. I rue the day I finally stop picking blonde hair from my clothes. Beautiful eyes, rough paws, always hungry
Shasta soft
Posted by phil on January 28, 2009 at 01:52 PM PST #
DOG-dog
Posted by j on January 28, 2009 at 02:10 PM PST #
from the day we picked shasta up from the breeder who ran the snack shop at drake's bay (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl) she was the typical yellow lab...played till she dropped, ate any and all offerings, and kept brian, stacey and amber busy with all sorts of mischief...while we all went about our lives with work, school, trips and moves, shasta was a constant- constantly wanting attention, food, petting and just plain old love...one of shasta's best friends was pumpkin, a family cat who had the same color as shasta...they actually would lie together on shatsa's bed and it was hard to delineate where pumpkin started and ended...as the family grew and blended, shasta glomed on to deborah because deborah was always ready with a table scrap, a great session of petting and walks on the beach and into the waves...this might not seem special but shasta did NOT like water, and would always run into the garage when i got the hose out to water our flowers or garden...i remember one time when brian rode his bike, i think out to the baylands and had shasta on a leash running beside him- she kept up the whole time and probably never complained, but she laid in her bed for the next two days resting her tired legs...one of shasta's favorite tricks was to open the gate to the garden and pick cherry tomatoes from the plants, and then sneak back into the yard, not realizing her muzzle was now green from the tomato leaves..there are tons of shasta stories i could tell but i'll stop here...I know many will be shared at family dinners, parties and holidays..it was a sad final time that I spent with Shasta, both Amber and Deborah sitting with her on the floor, and all of us letting her know our love would always be with her...we'll miss you girl.
Posted by tim on January 28, 2009 at 04:15 PM PST #
I was out of town for the Summer, when we got Shasta. My first introduction to her was a paw print in paint from her on my 20th Birthday card. Not only did she stamp my card, but she stamped my heart as well!! She really was the sweetest, most loving dog!! She would get so excited to see you, wagging her tail, and jumping up, (this got more difficult as her arthritis got worse). She was always trying to sneak into the kitchen, to eat whatever food was around, and she LOVED the oranges off of the tree in the back yard! I will miss her terribly!! But I know that she is now at peace, and able to run around like the crazy dog she was, with Woodrow on her heels.
Posted by Amber on January 28, 2009 at 09:11 PM PST #
it is sad to release such a precious and true friend, I know this. and it is the blessings of their love that are remembered,of course. I still miss my own sweetest dog, Raven Angus McTar,Crow Boy,Otter-One,Excalibur. My constant companion and champion, my macho, protective,guardian angel and he graciously extended all his heart to sky when he was born. I miss him still, he loved so well... I share your celebrate of who Shasta was and will always be... love & hugs
Posted by kat dancer on January 29, 2009 at 10:31 AM PST #
My pretty lady, Shasta... Every time I visited home, there she was happy as ever. She always seemed to have a real smile on her face and she always wanted someone to give her some kind of attention. Her personality never changed since the day we picked her up as a puppy at the breeders. I will never forget her growing at an unstoppable rate, getting her head stuck in the rocking chair, her eye surgery, her brother who lived across the street with the Hopkins, and the fact that she was our only sane lab (Charlie and Maxie weren't exactly normal). I love her, I missed her every time I told her goodbye and now I miss her more than ever, but I know she is happy and probably running around and playing the way she's wanted to since her arthritis kicked in. Most of all, I will miss petting her while she slowly rolled onto one side or her back urging me to rub her tummy. She will always be a part of our family...
Posted by Stacey on January 29, 2009 at 12:04 PM PST #