Miss Shelby

April 2007 - Oct 2024

Shelby first belonged to a family with three kids. She was being rehomed when Byron found her in pet classifieds. Years later, Byron brought home Smokey and Bandit, and then there were three.

She spent her days fetching (balls and then frisbees), chasing squirrels, birds, and the occasional cat, and enjoying long walks made for smelling all the things. She was fiercely loyal and adored children. For all her sweetness, she could be ferocious. She tolerated zero shenanigans from Smokey and Bandit and held the mantle of the alpha and matriarch of her pack her whole life. She doted on the humans she loved, and we were lucky recipients of so much of that love and devotion.

We love you, sweet girl, and we're so grateful that

you were ours, and we were yours.

This playlist is dedicated to Shelby.

Shelby in her happy places

On vacation with the family

Trip to Santa Cruz for Taj and Laura's wedding. Shelby loved Capitola.

Setting boundaries

Shelby shares her patented "fuck around and find out" look, reserved mostly for other dogs.

Is it time?

Bandit, Smokey, and Shelby waiting for treats...or a fetch.

Neighborhood watch

She loved to watch the passersby, and occasionally bark at them when she didn't like the cut of their jib.

In the backyard

Chilling in the backyard, knowing that Byron firing up the grill and Lisa putting on music and pouring a glass of wine, was a signal there would soon be grilled meat.

To sleep perchance to dream...of doggy treats

Shelby had her happy places, and they changed over time. The doggy bed was a favorite until it wasn't. Then she chose other places to rest. She knew herself, and that was inspiring.

People (and sometimes animals) Shelby loved

Shelby and Byron

Getting Shelby's full attention is a delight. No one captured her focus more than Byron. Whether he was holding frisbees or sitting on the porch, near him was her favorite spot.

Shelby and Frisbees (or fetch balls, or ping pong balls, or darts)

Playtime was a priority for Shelby. If you could throw it and she could catch it, she was all in.

Shelby and Lisa (and the yoga mat)

Weather permitting, the back porch was a great spot for us to stretch, meditate, and prepare for the day.

Shelby and Bandit

In pursuit of other animals or just a peaceful moment.

Shelby and Smokey

She enjoyed sunsets and green grass in equal measure with Smokey.

Shelby and Vincent

These two shared an important life perspective, "You're suspect until I see something that makes me believe otherwise."

Shelby and kiddos

Shelby with Alyssa, Thomas, and Carbon

Shelby never quit adoring children. Combining kids she loved with balls was the making of a perfect day. So perfect, she was happy to share it with Carbon.

Shelby and Savannah

Kids gravitated to her and trusted her to be gentle as she always was with them.

Shelby with Serena and Miles

She knew these kids from their beginnings and she adored them.

Shelby and the girls

She never tired of the attention the girls gave her.

Shelby, Byron and Lisa

One of Shelby's gifts was letting us be kids. Any game we played was more fun with her.

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Shelby and Alyssa

Alyssa would text us and ask, "How's the Shelby?"

A day in the life

Shelby at the ocean

Trip to Oceanside with Lisa, Marcus, Taylor, Joey, Jesse, and Vincent. Bringing frisbees to the ocean...brilliant.

Shelby on the porch

Taking in a sunset on the back porch was a relaxing way to end the day.

Shelby and the pups

Shelby's relationship with her housemates Smokey and Bandit was...complicated. Lots of love, lots of irritation, lots of her watching them with a sense of awe and ah.

Shelby and snow

She welcomed snow the way she did all seasons, with a sense of wonder and playfulness. Frisbees work differently in the winter...just saying.

Shelby in the kitchen

If we were cooking, she was close by to provide support and a willingness to clean up whatever morsels we inadvertently (or purposefully) dropped. If she got bored, she refocused our attention on the important stuff...tennis balls.

Shelby on display

Marcus created this likeness of her that perfectly captures her sweetness, grace, and love of the outdoors.