This page is for dogs we loved and are no longer alive in the flesh. They do live on in our hearts, and through the photos and memories we have of them. We lost our first dog, Indy, early in 2021. He's currently the banner dog here, walking in the sun as he loved to do!
Indy
The banner for this page is Indy - the first dog we lost, here at Pioneer Shelties. He was our big, beautiful blue special-needs boy. He was so joy-filled, giving us his whole effort every day. He loved his walks, his treats, and his family. We will always treasure the time spent taking care of him. When we woke up, got home or just came inside the house from being outdoors, he was there jumping up and wagging everything on him to express delight.
Indy was in good overall health his whole life. He had one tooth that seemed to be rotting from age 5 on! We just kept brushing his teeth and cleaning them by hand at home, and occasionally a little chlorhexidine rinse for antibacterial purposes. He didn't lose a single tooth! Amazing.
Fun Stories We'll never forget the day, in our backyard soon after we brought him home, when one of us called Indy to come to him. Being mostly blind, he responded--by running to a tree in the yard and sitting attentively!
Another time we were all outside in the backyard and some children came running past, yelling as kids do when they have fun. Indy was so startled he turned and ran--headlong, top-speed, right into our shed! He was fine and we all had a good laugh.
Indy was the best howler: low, melodious, long howls. He was a drama king. One day a bee got caught in his ear, and then flew out. But for the next hour or two he was sure it was inside! He squealed as if he'd been stung for some time afterwards, if we went to pet him. But occasionally he forgot to pretend to be 'hurt', which we of course found so funny.
Indy loved to be under the table. He was always independent to a degree, seeking to rest by himself just as often as coming onto the couch to snuggle up. With all his fur he got hot easily.
Indy loved to butt in on you if you sat on the floor. He would sense you near and come on over. He would butt with his head until he found your arm, then stick his head under it so you "had to" pet him! He loved being brushed and would do the same thing when he could tell it was grooming time. He often tried to butt out the other dogs from their grooming! Reggie may have escaped many a tail-and-hock brushing courtesy of Indy (who I had quite a hard time refusing).