She wasn't a champion. She wasn't pointed. She had never even entered any venue of competition offered by AKC. Because you see, her role in life was to be a friend. And how oh so well she performed that job!
When God loaned me this pup 10 years and 5 months ago, only HE knew how desperately I would need a friend in the few short months that followed.
My husband suddenly died 3 months later when Eve was only 12 weeks old. That night I took her from the x-pen and brought her to my bed. There a bond was formed that will never be broken. Building my kennel was my therapy and it was then Eve learned to chew bubble gum and drink coffee. Neither were safe after that. Any thrown away gum or undrunk coffee were fair game to her. Even if you were still chewing gum or drinking coffee, she would stare at you until you gave in. I didn't mind sharing. After all, she was my friend.
Anything that could be incorrect about a sheltie were Eve's greatest attributes. Her snipey muzzle, her huge round eyes, her wide backskull, her lack of underjaw, her short fat body, her cowhocked rear and her short neck........she had them all. But her funny little face will always live in my heart. After all, she was my friend.
For 4 years we were inseparable. No fence could hold her, no one could keep her. She asked only to be by my side. When I was sad, she would lay her funny little face on my knee, look at me as if to say "It's ok Mom, I love you" When I was glad, her antics would make me laugh harder. Until Eve got to know you, YOU were not permitted to stroke her body and one cut of her eyes let you know it. She was the queen and all the other dogs allowed her to be. Once she determined her throne, usually laying by my side or at my feet, other dogs were not allowed in her domain. If they forgot, the gnarling and gnashing of teeth quickly reminded them. It was then she affectionately and lovingly acquired the name "Bitchface". After all, SHE was MY friend.
As time passed and I began dating my husband, I brought him home to introduce him to my dogs. I mean he had to pass the dog test...right? After the introductions, I introduced him to Eve and told him not to feel bad if she didn't have anything to do with him at first because she was MY dog. Whoever said shelties were loyal didn't know Eve. The next night she took her place beside Wesley on the couch and let him into her heart. As always, her insight knew he made me happy and she accepted him with hesitation. After all, She was our friend.
As the years passed, Eve grew less active, she found it harder and harder to breathe. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and kidney failure. It was hard to rise to a standing position and she became more content to lay at mine or Wesley's feet. If we moved to another room, she would slowly follow asking only to stay by our side. After all, she was our friend.
On September 12, God was not looking for a pup that was a champion. He was not looking for a pup that was pointed. He was not looking for a pup that had been entered in any venue of competition offered by AKC. Because you see, he was looking for a pup whose role in life was to be a friend. And how oh so well she performed that job!!!
I miss my friend................ |
