“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine….
you make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you…
please don’t take my sunshine away.”
While the complete lyrics to this song refer to a romantic relationship, my mother always sang it to us when we were children, and as we learned the words ourselves, we sang it together as a family. It’s played in my head throughout my life, and most recently I’d applied it to our beautiful Sheba. Sheba always had a sunny smile, and as she battled cancer, we knew eventually she would be taken away.
Obviously, Sheba was not our only sunshine. Cricket, Luke and Samantha are now shining through for us when we need them, and we’ll all get through this loss together. For today, I don’t want to write about the sadness of our loss; if you haven’t yet, you can read more about Sheba’s passing here: “A Golden Sun Has Set”. I want to share some of the joys she brought to our lives. Memories give us comfort, and as I looked back through old photos of Sheba, they did exactly that for me, along with bringing a much-needed smile to my face. Sheba would like that.
In her later years, Sheba became my easy dog. She was the one that I walked the most, not just because she needed it more, but I could take her anywhere without worries of reactions to strangers or loose dogs, unlike her siblings. My friend Sheryl reminded me though that Sheba was not always easy! I remember when there was a time I thought of her as our “wild child”.
When Sheba was a puppy and young dog, she was one of 4 and 2 of them were the same age as her. Yes, we were crazy with 3 puppies at once! When people came to visit, Sheba wanted to do everything she could to get attention, so she was a jumper. We worked hard with her to break her of the habit, and though it wasn’t easy, eventually she learned. Once she did, it was the cutest thing. She would stay seated, but you could see her quivering with the desire to jump, yet holding herself back!
She was also a puller when we walked, making walks challenging. She got better, but in her later years, and even after her cancer diagnosis, she still had her moments! She was always high energy and excitable, but that was part of her happiness and charm.
One of the things I loved most about Sheba was the fact that she never really grew up. Until her last days, she still enjoyed playing ball, digging holes, and destroying stuffed toys. Bringing Luke into the household three years ago brought the puppy back out in her even more. She played often with Luke, indoors and out. These posts are prime examples: Sheba’s Tips for Living Life to the Fullest: Be a Helper, and Tip #2: Play Like a Puppy.
Supper time is far too quiet now without her. She and Luke had a routine. Luke would run around gleefully when the Dadz started dishing out supper. Sheba would wait a bit, and then she would get up and start chasing Luke around and barking at him! Now, with her gone, neither Luke nor Cricket quite know what to do with themselves, and supper time is just not the same. It’s one of the times we still see Cricket looking for her sister.
Swimming was another of Sheba’s favorite activities. I tried to take her as much as possible, especially this last summer: Scouting for Sheba’s First Swim of the Summer. I think she could have stayed at the pond all day swimming after her ball or Wet Wubba. It always made me laugh that as much as she loved swimming, when it came to their own kiddie pool in the yard, she would never lie down in it, she would only stand. I often poured water over her to try to cool her off more!
It was my dream when we moved to our new home to put in a pond that she and Luke could swim in. Because things went bad with the sale of our first home – we had to make some expensive repairs in order to sell – we just didn’t have the money to do that this year. What a dream come true it would have been for her to be able to swim daily in her own pond! I hope we can still put that pond in one day, and I already plan to name it “Sheba’s Pond” if we do.
Sheba was loving, sweet, happy, and she was a fighter. She stayed strong through two surgeries to remove her cancer, and she fought to stay with us for over another year after the second. Other than a few scares along the way, for the most part she felt good and stayed active and happy through it all. That was the greatest gift she gave us: the gift of sharing her life and bringing joy to ours for as long as she possibly could.
Those are incredibly wonderful memories. Sheba sounds like she was a dog who I would’ve loved. She would have also gotten along super well with our eternal puppy, R. What a life she had with you. I can tell from your words that you both brought incredible love into each others’ lives. Sending love – KB, Shyla, and R
That was a lovely tribute to a beautiful girl. I’m glad you are finding comfort in those memories, and also glad you are sharing them with us.
Very beautiful, thank you for reliving shebas life with us. What a special girl she was and you were blessed to have her a long time.
Love these memories of Sheba’s wonderful life, Jan, and the puppy pictures especially brought a smile, before the tears at that last beautiful pic of you and her…but as everyone says, eventually, that one will bring a smile too. Sheba was blessed to be part of your family, just as your family was blessed to have her. It’s hard hearing how Cricket especially, but Luke too, misses her. We know without a doubt how you humans take it, but are never sure about the other animals-and it’s so sad to see them having a tough time too! Hugs and more hugs to you all.
Love Sheba’s spirit…indeed a full and wonderful life and very much loved..thankyou for sharing your precious girl…love Bev xxx
Thank you so very much for telling Sheba’s story. I am humming the song as I write this and I will forever associate it with her. I am praying for you, praying you are able to find some peace knowing that you gave Sheba absolutely everything you could – from the time you first laid eyes on her, till the day she crossed that bridge. You were an incredible pet parent, and I know in time all those beautiful memories will blanket and comfort you. Words cannot heal your heart now, but please know I am with you in spirit my friend, always…
Thank you, Cathy, for your very comforting words. ♥
What a sweet look back at such a wonderful girl. I’m sure there will be others in the future who will enjoy swimming in Sheba’s pond if it comes to be. Sheba would be happy to let them.
Yes, I love that idea. Sheba will smile down on anyone that gets to swim in her pond. Hopefully Luke will be the first; that would definitely make her happy. They swam together a few times in Luke’s first summer.
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend.
Thank you so much, Mary.
Sheba is shining through these memories. Thank you for sharing them with us! I know how you are feeling and even with the good stuff to reminisce on, the sadness lingers. I love the idea of Sheba’s pond. I look forward to reading about it one day! Just today I was thinking we should plant a tree for D’Art. Being a black dog, he was always scouting out the best shady spots on a warm day.
Oh yes, you should definitely plant a very nice shade tree for D’Art. In the past we have planted bushes or flowers for many of our pets when we lost them. I think I should plant something special for Sheba too – sunflowers, maybe? – just to hold us until we can get that pond in. 🙂
Beautiful photos and memories.
What a beautiful tribute to Sheba. She will always shine for you. Purrs…
Tears and heartbreak at these sweet stories. I think that song is a song of love but more importantly a song of comfort. I hope and pray that sunshine is shining in your heart with each passing day.
That was a most loving tribute to your beautiful gal. Thanks for letting us have a look back with you. Hugs.
Thank you for being here to look back with us. ♥
Another beautiful post that brought tears to my eyes. I miss my Golden Retriever Tucker so badly. They are just the sweetest dogs in the world. Your memories of her wild child days make me think of Tucker destroying several pairs of eyeglasses (Bad when you can’t see without them) and he actually ate a hole in our office wall. It is easy to forget the mischievous times because they are such wonderful dogs. ♥
Thank you, Melissa. Goldens really are the sweetest dogs. Gosh, Sheba’s brother Moses was SO destructive, he never got glasses or ate walls, but did get a cell phone. He tore up I don’t know how many dog beds, and we had to take the comforter off our bed when we left for work so he didn’t eat holes in it and pull the stuffing out! Sheba seemed to limit her destruction to toys. 🙂 But yes, we forget all that, especially now.
So sad when we lose our furry friends. What a beautiful tribute
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
I remember thinking that when Sheba and Moses were asleep (usually on top of my son, Alex) the only way I could tell them apart was that Sheba’s coloring was lighter than Moses. When they were awake, there was never a question of which one Sheba was…she was the one that was always “jiggling” with happiness! Moses was so much more calm, but also SO sweet in nature. Alex and I loved them both, and are so thankful we got to spend so much time with them in their earlier years. xoxo PS I used to sing that song to Alex as a little boy. 🙂
Sheba and Moses were definitely opposites, but each special in their own ways. I’m glad you and Alex got to enjoy them as well. ♥
Such lovely memories. Thinking of you. Hugs xx
Thank you for enjoying them with us. xxoo
I twas good to walk with you on memory lane … although the golden sun has set, it was a walk directed by love…. hugs to you ….
Thank you for walking with us….company is so appreciated, as you know. ♥
Oh, Jan, the pix of Sheba’s puppyhood are absolutely precious! And, of course, they remind me of Callie’s puppyhood. I especially love the pix of her with Moses – so much like Callie and Shadow back in their younger days!
Shadow knows how Cricket feels about missing her sister…she still looks for Callie in their favorite spots, especially when her daddy is in one of his moods.
Sheba and Moses were so opposite in personality, but when I was looking through photos, I found them standing in sync so many times! I think I wrote a post with that theme way back when Moses was still with us.
It’s funny…Luke always comes back to bed with me in the morning. Cricket would come in, stay one minute, and then leave to go out in the dining room with Sheba. I thought with Sheba gone, she might stay in with us, but nope, she still goes back out there. I don’t know if it’s just habit, or if she’s hoping Sheba will be there. 🙁
Beautifully done Jan. Love Dolly