This story will be different. It is the story of my most faithful friend who helped so many of those wild animals have the will to live and to feel they were loved.

Burning Brightly in Heaven
by Tracy A. Bye
2002

My best friend died this past summer, her name was Shelby. She was my Golden Retriever, my truest friend, my wisdom keeper, my gentle companion and an animal who gave many gifts to this world. Her life touched the lives of children, of adults and of all animals.

Shelby was a dog who could be trusted in all situations. Her contented, gentle demeanor was a joy to be around at all times. She loved life and all that it brought to her. When I got my first deer fawn in, I was very nervous to do everything correctly. Shelby would be by my side with each feeding and cleaning, day and night. I would be inside and Shelby would wait by the door to go out. Soon I would go and look for her and she would be in with the fawn sound asleep, with the fawn curled up by her side. Shelby became the surrogate mother to many ungulates in my care. They treasured her companionship, loved her kisses and waited for her to come home to them. I believe having her help me with their rehab enriched their lives and gave them hope to live. She licked them as their mom would have, she gave them warmth and she could talk to them in animal terms.

When fawns or calves would die in our care, Shelby would mourn their passing along with the rest of us. She was by my side as I cried at their death and the unfairness of life. It was Shelby who could give me hope again - as she did to many critters too.

Shelby loved the raccoons, fox kits and baby beaver. She was a light in their lives. Her compassion towards their needs and their loneliness was a treat to watch. In her grace, I learned many things. She taught me patience, persistence, faithfulness and joy. Her wisdom on how to care about life , how to give in all circumstances and how to live your best life was a treasured gift to the lives of my whole family. I keep working on living my life by the lessons she taught me.

The last night of Shelby's life on earth was spent in her usual way - making our lives happier. I received a call about a fawn who had been hit by a car on Highway 131. The person who called was in great distress and was very worried about the fawn. I told him where I lived and he was on his way with the fawn. With hope in my heart I went to sit down by Shelby and wait for the fawn to arrive.
My girlfriend's were over and we were eating pizza with Shelby. As we sat and talked to her and gave her lots of love, I could see in her eyes she was not feeling well at all. Her cancer was back and stoically she was fighting to live the way she always had, with grace, kindness and joy. As I told them all about the phone call, Shelby picked her head up and listened with concern. She wanted to come out with us when the car arrived, but was not able to walk. I know she wanted to be by my side as she always was. She wanted to help the fawn or me or the person in distress in whatever way she could - that was her way.

I gently told her I would be back soon and that she should stay comfortable on her bed. I gave her a kiss and headed to meet the car in my driveway with the injured fawn.

As I opened the door to a man in tears, I knew it was not good news. The fawn had died in route to my house. In the hour I spent out with the fawn and this man, Shelby passed on. My best friend was not there as I cried at the unfairness of life. My hope had to come from within, from the support of my family and friends and from the life lessons I learned from Shelby.

I have so many stories I could tell of the many animals she took care of in her lifetime. I know them in my heart and feel so grateful to have been given the gift of Shelby in my life. Her light burned brightly on earth and I feel it burning in heaven too.Flag