The runt of the litter, Shelly was small and sweet and
perfect. My sister and I loved her instantly.
For years, we had watched Lassie on TV and wanted a
Lassie
of our own. After a strong begging campaign, our parents finally agreed
to buy
us a “mini-Lassie,” a sheltie. Shelly was everything we wanted - fun,
smart and
protective – only smaller.
Shelly did everything with us whether it was playing
in the
backyard or sitting in the buggy as we pushed our “baby” around the
neighborhood. She could go anywhere and do anything. She enjoyed
camping,
riding on the boat and just hanging out with us in the backyard.
In the evenings, my sister and I would call her from
the
doors of our bedrooms, “Shelly, Shelly, Shelly!” Whose sheets would she
burrow
under? Whose feet would she warm? “Shelly, Shelly, Shelly!”
Shelly grew with us. When I joined track, Shelly
trained
beside me, running stride for stride. She was always so happy and sweet.
She
was our dog and we loved her.
One day when I was twelve years old, Shelly was killed
by a
car after she had chewed through yet another leash. I can still remember
holding her as her spirit left her body. Shelly wasn’t just a pet. She
was our
companion and our confidant. She loved us unconditionally. I’ve never
forgotten
that afternoon or the loss of her friendship.
It was the memory of Shelly’s unconditional love that
helped
me work through some personal tragedies and abuse and encouraged me to
own
dogs again. In 2008, Shelly became the inspiration for the Vir-Chew-Ly
Indestructible™ Leash made by Muttgear, LLC – “Keeping Dogs Safe, One
Leash at
a Time.”
Every leash I make is a tribute to Shelly and the
love,
support and friendship that dogs provide us everyday.
~ Joslin
Owner, Mutt Gear,
LLC 
Vir-Chew-Ly Indestructible™ Leashes
