Female #125,
Life with Shelby
The story of Shelby as it unfolded on the KB-L newslist.
From: Irene <harpsichord@SUSCOM.NET>
Date: Sun May 28, 2006 7:22:36 PM US/Pacific
Hi Everyone:
As I was watching Charlotte Bronte's classic, JANE EYRE, tonight it became apparent how Mr. Rochester grew to love Jane, the governess he hired for his ward. At first Jane was reserved and stoic, yet he found a dignity and self-assured countenace she bestowed. At that point he became intriqued with knowing her better. Although her physical beauty was lacking, her gaze and expression through her eyes shone out. Her benevolency was unquestionable. He could not hold back his love for Jane and ashed her to marry him. He was not mesmerized with her money, her looks, her breeding or her position. It was her soul calling out to him and his heart being entwined in hers. He said to her,
"YOU STRANGE, ALMOST UNEARTHLY THING." Mr. Rochester, a proud and prominant man, loved her soul and that transcended all she was not into all she would be to him.
Shelby has that "almost unearthly" mannerism. She is quietly there speaking to you with her eyes and gentle touch. Her glance has that mystical silence of all she is and who she will become. Shelby is my "unearthly" love in this earthly world of the fallen. Shelby is all our hope for a promising future for all other "uneathly" creatures whose souls are waiting to unfold and mystify us once more with the promise of the soul being born and unveiled for all the world to see.
[]
Irene Mele
Brewsters, NY
These are pictures of Shelby after her operation -- looking
beautiful.
She is on her new bed in my room.
Irene Mele
From: Irene
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 9:20 AM
Subject: SHELBY'S HAIR CUT
Hi Everyone:
Suzanne Rodda came yesterday afternoon and spent 2 1/2 hours grooming the
top part of Shelby's body and her face. She is going to come back
next week to groom the legs and underbody. Yes, it took that long
to get her face to look like a real kerry. And it took Suzanne an
hour to get here and an hour to get back. She is very dedicated to
her work and true to her word that she would donate a free grooming.
Not only that, but Shelby loves her. Shelby was nervous at first and
I hugged and comforted her until she was realized she was not going to be
hurt. Then she was queen for the day and loving it. Suzanne
was funny with all the funny dog things she says to make Shelby feel calm
and secure. We were all cracking up. Wish we had a video camera.
Thank you Suzanne for making our girl a prize Kerry and so beautiful.
You have to see her. She has the daintiest face and great lines.
Her hair is like silk. She is dream to look at. And thank you
Suzanne for all your joyfulness that you bring to everyone and your talents.
Grooming is a very difficult art.
I took pictures of Shelby with me and Suzanne and next week I will take
more upon completion of her grooming. Then I will send them to Mimi
for her to scan and then they will be up. You are not going to recognize
her. You can't even see the very minute scar line on her face.
That was job was done so well also by Dr. Wilson of Brewster, NY at the
animal hospital. I took pictures of Shelby with him also that I am
going to send to Mimi. Thank you all for donating to Shelby's operation
and well-being. Now you will all get to see the fruits of your labor.
She is a new girl with new life and new joy. That is so rewarding
to see on a daily basis when she wags her tail and smiles. I thank
you all personally again for the part each one of you played in her rescue
up until now.
Irene Mele
Brewster, NY
From: Suzanne Rodda <SRodda@AOL.COM>
Date: Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:56:55 PM US/Pacific
It is such an honor to be Shelby's volunteer groomer and to be part of her
life. My first visit left me with such sadness seeing her pacing back n
forth
and catching a glimpse of her hole on the side of her face. My first
reaction was a feeling of sickness and trying to see what or if anything
I could do
in helping her overcome her fears. Shelby felt more comfortable just being
in a small closed off area. I left that day wondering if I could even get
a
scissors on her.
Several months later, just last week, I returned not really
knowing if we
would be able to groom her. When I arrived I saw a huge improvement. She
was
doing less and less pacing, her coat grew in. ... was she a hairy little
Kerry. Irene was able to pick her up and place her on my lap ... what a
sweet
little angel. At first she looked at Irene but after talking to her for
a
little while she started looking up at me. I kept telling her she was all
right,
that nobody was going to hurt her anymore. Eventually we were able to put
her on the table. Crouching and the tail between the legs was not going
to
work so I kept telling her everything will be all right. She looked at me
and
gave me a sniff-kiss, I just wanted to cry. She started to stand up...
Repeating those words over and over again and telling her how beautiful
she was,
and a little angel ... now she was standing like a show dog. Well, close
to
it. We spent 2 1/2 hours with the groom. I decided to quit to give her a
break. Next week I will be returning to help wash her and finish off the
groom.
Wait until you see her ... what a beautiful little baby.
Thank you rescue committee and especially Irene for adopting
her. Irene had
mentioned several times to me that she wanted a rescue ... you all will
be
proud of Irene and her family. Mom, Dad, Irene and her son Nicholas are
all
the angels Shelby needed. They have so much love to give that I thought
they may want to adopt me. only kidding
I just wanted to say that I didn't need to suggest anything
for Shelby's
recovery her knew family gave everything to her - their hearts.
Suzanne Rodda
203 218-3350
Kerrysues
Suzanne with Shelby
Suzanne, Shelby and Irene
Irene Mele with Shelby
Where there was a gaping hole, is now a pretty face.
From: Irene
Subject: Shelby's Update
Date: December 12, 2006 12:30:42 PM PST
Hi Everyone:
Shelby will be with us 1 year in March. Seems like she has been with us forever. She is the sweetest girl and the big update on Shelby is that now she chews on the Nyla-bones, peanut butter bones and 100% rubbers toys we give her. She would never touch them before. Now while I work she just chews away and is very happy on her plush bedding. She is still afraid of the men and runs away from them or strangers and growls at them. That will take a lot of more time to heal as she has been badly injured both physically and emotionally. The main thing I find is that he is happy and jumps for joy when she sees me or food or her toys. But compared to when she first came here, she has improved immensely. She lets me pet her and trusts me enough to come to me for more. I spend a lot of time with Shelby giving her everything she should have gotten in the first place. She is my love and does everything with me. I could not have found a better friend in Shelby. She lets me give her the love I need to give and I know she loves me back when she gently comes over and licks me, especially after I walk her, take her for rides in the car or give her treats. You should see her jump around for her treats. She is the cutest girl in all the world and I LOVE to see her happy and smile. That is the greatest gift I could have ever received.
I would love to hear about all the other rescues. It is so exciting to hear our babies have new lives and are happy.
Love,
Irene and Shelby
From: Irene
Subject: Shelby's Update
Date: January 25, 2007 12:30:42 PM PST
Hi Everyone:
Suzanne Rodda who gave Shelby that complimentary grooming in the summer said she liked this picture. It shows her form more.
From: harpsichord@COMCAST.NET
Subject: [KBL] ONE YEAR WITH SHELBY - A DEDICATION
Date: March 24, 2007 8:47:31 AM PDT
Hello all my dear Kerry friends. It has been one year with Shelby, one wonderful
year! It is hard to believe how fast time has gone and how far Shelby has
come along thanks to all of you. I have dedictated a poem to Shelby written
by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796). Here is to Shelby,
the love of my life, the shoulder I lean on, the one I seek each morning,
my confidant and best friend:
O, My Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, My Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.And fare thee weel, my only luve,
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!
It took one year for Shelby to go through two operations, to come through a doorway, to pick up a toy, to sleep without pacing, to eat without looking over her shoulder, to look into your eyes, to wag her tail, to let someone pet her, to let anyone near her, to walk on a leash, to jump for joy, to go near a water bowl or take a treat without fear of being grabbed.
It took one year for Shelby to know what it was to be a pet and not a slave, to be loved and not abused, to smile and not wimp, to have a home instead of a cage, and, of all else, to be loved just for who she is and just as she is, to be loved unconditionally.
One year with Shelby was possible because of all of your good hearts, because you did not give up on her or the rest of the Shelbina rescues, because their lives meant more than the opposition, because of your steadfast dedication to your motto of saving them no matter what the cost. Robin Hood, the Scarlett Pimpernel, William Wilberforce and Oscar Schindler never gave up even though more and more refugees would be coming. Their life-long quest was to free as many as they could, despite the circumcirstance and ridicule, despite all the pros and cons. Theirs was not to ask why. Theirs was to do or die. Let us continue in their footsteps, let us pick up the flag and move forward and make a difference in all the lives of all those who are relying on us to save them from a life that is worse than death itself. I can hear them calling. I can hear their cries. We all can because our hearts are open. We can be the difference. We can be there and we will! We will not faint. The flag will fly high and brave!
Irene and Shelby
Brewster, NY
6/30/08
I can't believe we have Shelby for over two years now. Shelby turned 7 in
March and had a big birthday party with Shea. Those doggy cookies look good
enough for humans to eat. Shelby wanted to thank you all for your rescuing
her and saving her life.
She wrote this poem for all of you and a current picture of her is below. Isn't she the sweetest girl, too. She wouldn't hurt a fly. It still grieves us the first time we saw shelby in her carrying crate right off the plane. And we cried for half an hour, trying to comfort her from hear fears and trauma. Well, thanks to all of you, Shelby is a new girl and knows how to play and run with joy in her heart!
[...] Shelby said she wishes she could thank each one of you
personally. You will be in her heart forever. thank you again.
Irene Mele
Shelby's story continues: From Rescue to Adoption, From Adoption to Surgery
