Two days prior to finding Zachary and Samantha, I had another angel named Jackson. The sweetest dog I have ever known. For me, he taught me so much about how to love something. I know you're thinking… he is only a dog. Wrong, he was my friend, my best friend. So when he got sick without any hope - taking him to the vet for the final time, was all that I could bare. We had a talk with Jackson and told him that we were going to get two dogs when he was gone. Call me silly, but that made me feel better. So, holding Jackson tightly, the Doctor gave him the shot - and I cradled him as he drew his last breath. My mom and I stayed in the room, holding him, crying together. He touched her life too. What a painful, sad day. Jackson gave me so much, that I felt I could not let him die on a cold metal table surrounded by strangers. I am so grateful for that decision. I've never felt such a loss - I cried from my soul.
Earlier in the day, we were on the phone and the Internet trying to find a sable female and a tri male from any breeder, in any state. I wanted another Sheltie the same colors as Jackson and my partner wanted a sable female. We couldn't find them anywhere. No one had a tri male. I thought I would call the breeder I got Jackson from, but where had I put Pam and Rodger's number? After we got home from saying "Goodbye" to Jackson, I thought I would get online and give it another try searching for any information on breeders for Shelties. I had tried all the numbers for my friends in the Bakersfield area - that is where I got Jackson. All my numbers had been disconnected or no longer were in service. I did find a listing online for a breeder with the same area code as Pam and Rodger. So, I gave them a call. I was so sad by the earlier days happenings that I talked with this lady for 45 minutes. She didn't have any tri males either. I told her who I was looking for. She said, "You won't believe this, but I have an old pedigree which has Pam and Rodger's phone number on it." She gave me the number. I thanked her and I hung up the phone. Her name was Pam too. She lived in Ventura, Ca. and knew Rodger and Pam in Bakersfield, Ca. which is 77 miles away. Wiping away the tears, I gave Pam and Rodger a call. Rodger answered the phone and I proceeded to tell them who I was and what had happened to Jackson earlier that day. My heart was hurting so terribly bad.
I asked Roger, "Do you have a sable female and a tri male? We have been searching everywhere." I told him how I got his number and about the nice lady that gave it to me.
"Sally, you aren't going to believe this. I have a brother and sister - a tri male and a sable female." My heart was overcome with happiness, sadness, grief, disbelief, and joy - all at the same time. "15 people have called", he said "but no one has come to take a look at them. Now, I know why… they are for you!" He was right, I couldn't believe it!
"I want them! What do I do?", I said. We made the necessary arrangements to drive down to Bakersfield to pick them up. I hung up the phone, got on my knees, cried and prayed. At that very moment I was feeling extreme sorrow and extreme joy. I have yet to feel like that again. I was missing my baby Jackson and joyful for the future with Zachary and Samantha.
Finding Zachary and Samantha was a true miracle for us. That weekend I drove down to Bakersfield and picked them up. They both fit in the palm of my hand - what a joy.
When we got back even Jackson welcomed them home. I call all three… "My angel babies!
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