Remedy's Shot Of Scotch CDX, OA, OAJ, OAP, OJP, CGC
6/11/1995 ~ 5/29/2007
April 2007
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
~written by Henry Scott Holland
Shiloh was my constant assistant in teaching obedience classes, ruled the clan and was my loyal and trusted friend. She truly was a once in a lifetime dog and I have been so fortunate to be able to work with her.
Monday, Memorial Day, had been a great day. We went for our long walk in the back pasture, all the dogs and as always, Shiloh was her usual balanced and steady self. While the other dogs scattered and sped by, Shiloh beat a steady path stopping only occasionally to smell a new or familiar scent in the tall grass. Sunday, my Mom and Dad had been out here fishing and Shiloh spent some time wading into the pond right under their fishing lines. No one got mad at her. It's Shiloh. She helped catch 2 large catfish, a good sized bass and a mess of bluegill. Which we ate on Monday evening while Shiloh begged by our sides. She was a most masterful beggar. Food and treats were really her biggest passion.
Anyone who knew Shiloh knew that you could never really pet her head, because she was always moving it back and forth....probably in an effort to get your hand to scratch her under her chin, her itchy spot. That itchy spot is also why she would run her chin down the length of chain link fence each day before feeding times.....which she was always prompt for. She had a bouncy "ready to eat" dance that she did twice daily while her food was being measured into her bowl, her long nails that she hated being trimmed, clicking in rhythm on the concrete floor. And if you made her wait too long before releasing her from her Sit and Wait for her food, a long slimy string of drool would ooze from the side of her mouth in anticipation. Oh how she loved to eat.
Shiloh was my second Obedience dog and my first Agility dog. She excelled at both and I was extremely disappointed that I basically had to take 3 years off from training while we built the new place. If I hadn't, I know we would have gotten our UD title and our Excellent titles in agility. But time got away from us and by the time we were ready for utility and excellent, Shiloh had aged just enough to let her nerves get the best of her in Utility and just didn't quite have what it took anymore to get those Excellent legs. But we DID compete in both. And she would have had a pass in Utility if it hadn't been for me sending her over the wrong jump for directed jumping. In her day, she could fly in agility and was spot on in heeling for obedience....and she loved her dumbbell.
In the end, I think Shiloh was just fine about not having those titles. The most important title she earned was that of Alpha Bitch. And she was, without a doubt, the epitome of what an Alpha Bitch should be. She rarely had to do more than stand up or barely curl a lip to convey to another dog that she was in charge. In class she helped train many a young boisterous pup. And with each upcoming Shadowmyst youngster, she was the perfect balance of playfulness and discipline. She exuded leadership with the calm and assertive nature that we should all strive for. She earned it and it was rare that any dog would challenge it. She deserved it. Because she never had to work at it, she only had to be it. She will always be the ideal alpha and I doubt I will see another like her.
Things I will miss about Shiloh are her happy eyes and smile, her clicking toenails, her licks to tell me she wanted a treat, her full body wagging when she was really happy, the way she could butt tuck and play with the other dogs and puppies even in her old age and all of her other happy go lucky ways of enjoying life to it's fullest.
But most of all, we, all of us including the dogs...maybe especially the dogs, will miss her constantness. Her steadiness. Her presence of just being here and remaining stable and constant and ever in control.
While I was holding Shiloh waiting for Teresa, my vet, to arrive, she held her head still in my arms and let me pet her for really the only time I can ever remember without her head bobbing from side to side. She wagged her tail when I spoke. I had her propped up so she would not fall over; so she could remain upright and stable like she would have wanted it. She was scared and her eyes looked so confused...."What is happening to me?"
Wanting to be close to her I tried several times to touch Shiloh's paw, to 'hold her hand' I suppose....and each time she would pull her paw away. She hated having her paws touched. Teresa arrived and examined her. She told me she was pretty sure it was a blood clot. We talked briefly about slim options but I already knew what had to be done. When Teresa reached for Shiloh's paw to hold while she found a vein I cried as Shiloh didn't pull it away. She lay still the entire time ...just the panting heaving her torso up and down. She let go with strength and dignity..
Remedy's Shot Of Scotch CDX OA OAJ OJP OAP CGC
OFA Excellent, Elbows Clear, Eyes Clear age 11
Her kids, grandkids and great grandkids live on.
With dignity and grace, you lived each day to the fullest.
What a joyous life to have had.
I cherish my adoration and love for you.
I hold you in my heart and soul.
I strive to have your presence
and capture your character.
I exalt your happy heart.
I celebrate your life.
Shiloh's Last Agility Trial- May, 2006
Remedy's Shot of Scotch CDx, OA, OAJ, OJP, OAP, CGC
6/11/95 - 5/29/07
(Am/Can Ch. Heatherwoods Sunrise Echo x Shiloh Remedy Chesapeake Bay)
OFA Excellent, OFA elbows & CERF
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Go to Shiloh's puppy page for more pictures
Shiloh's first litter with Mac
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