Shala, Siberian HuskyOwners-Phillip & Brandy Jones
Shala was rescued at the age of 4 from the Charlotte Animal Shelter in August of 2001. It was love at first sight and I couldn't wait to take her home. My beagle, Lacy, wasn't so sure of her new playmate, since she was three times her size. Eventually Shala became the protective big sister and we adopted 2 more dogs. Lacy and Chase have been to Ponder Cove twice and they LOVE it. Shala had to stay at Grandma's house with her brother because we didn't want any problems with the resident cat. She would have loved the mountains. We hiked a lot together before her hips wouldn't allow her to go with me anymore. She passed away suddenly from cancer in June of '08 and we miss her terribly. She loved her daddy and they would "woo woo" back and forth to each other. Eating was her favorite pastime and she never missed a meal. She was a therapy dog and visited nursing homes and the Ronald Mcdonald House. She walked in Christmas parades with the husky rescue and all the kids would ask if she was a "Snow Dog". Shala never met a stranger and we were lucky to have been a part of her life.
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156 comments:
Shala did LOVE to eat... When sitting for her I always knew it was time for supper because Shala would let me know! :-) Jericho loved to lay on her like she was a big furry pillow. We both miss her lots!
She is a beautiful dog. Just look at those eyes.
Shayla is a natural calendar girl! And she also happens to be a genius who chose some really good people to own.
Shala has December written all over her... :)
Maybe some good snow pictures would work well.
Good Luck.
Talk about some soulful eyes! Her sweet innocence just beams in this gorgeous picture! She was the most gentle giant you'd ever have the pleasure of meeting. If she were in a calendar, she'd be my favorite month!
I had the pleasure of keeping Shala for a while when I lived in Concord, NC. I wasn't to sure of how we'd get along but you'd have to know how Shala was. You couldn't ask for a dog with better temperment and an affection for all those she came in contact with. I've seen my sister Brandy rescue many dogs, some she adopted, some she found great homes for, but I know there was a love for Shala that no other dog could take the place of. She touched the lives of our family and as a therapy dog, she touched the lives of many. She truely had enough personality to fill every month of a calender, not just one.
Shala was a great dog with a great personality. She was always a pleasure to walk with! We will keep her in our hearts and remember her as the good friend that she was.
:)
I love her eyes! I wish I had gotten to meet her, Brandy. She was a beautiful dog.
Shala is gorgeous! She is very photogenic.(and besides, you can't hvae a dog calendar without a Siberian Husky for one of the winter months. Siberians and snow are a perfect match.)
What a sweetheart! Have a husky of my own, and I'm always looking for stories about them and places to tell those stories. Go Shala!
What a beautiful Sibe! And she would be perfect for a winter month - Sibes and snow, all the way :)
Wooooooo Woooooo Shala, your owners were sure lucky to have had you :)
Shala would be perfect for your calendar. Look at those expressive eyes.
D'Azul Siberians
What a beauty. I am sure she will always be remembered by her family.
Shala is beautiful and deserves to be one of the winter month features! And as a Siberian owner in the Asheville area (Maggie Valley), we love to see Sibes in the mountains!
Shala was such a great dog. She was always so well behaved and great around little Caiden. I used to love visiting and seeing her beautiful eyes! She will certainly be missed!!!
Such a beautiful girl. She definately should be in the calendar.
WOW!
What a beeWOOOTiful Sibe!!
Her eyes so say it all!!!
She would be a perfekht khalendar khanine fur December!!!!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
How incredibly beautiful! That is a TOTAL winner of a pic!!
She is just beautiful. Those eyes are just calling to you to play and love on her.
We miss that beautiful arctic blue gaze that seemed to see snow in the distance even when there wasn't any. We love & miss you, pretty baby! See you again some day!
What a beaut!
What a beautiful baby!
Wow! What a beautiful dog.
Shala was a gorgeous dog she will be sorely missed! Those big blue eyes are just stunning and you can see her beautiful soul!
The picture says it all. Shala was one of a kind and a great Trailhound.
Shala was so beautiful! A perfect advertiser of a true husky, a real beauty. She should win because she brought so much happiness and beauty to many people!
My, what gorgeous eyes you have!
A beautiful girl!
What Beautiful eyes for a Calendar Canine. I Look forward to hopefully seeing Shala in the calendar. Also I look forward to visiting Ponder Cove. I went to college in black Mountain and it has been a long time since I visited the area.
What a lovely face. She would make a wonderful calendar month.
Shala is my pick for the calendar. What a face.
I vote for Shala. She was a great dog with a great spirit.
Gorgeous dog - could be a movie stand in for a White Fang remake!
Beautiful dog...she looks like my husky, Bella...
Beautiful dog! She couldn't have had better caretakers (Nobody OWNS a dog, they simply take care of them). Sorry about your loss!
Semper Ibi!
My vote goes to Shala!
"Spats" says "Yes, Shala rocks!".
she's a beautiful baby!
Shala is beautiful! Definitely my pick!!
Shala is my pick for the calendar!
I think Shala would be perfect for December..
Definitely December, or at least a winter month.....
Here's another two-paws-up vote for Shala!
Two paws up for Shala! Definitely a winter month pin-up girl.
My condolences to her parents. We just lost our beloved beagle, Elmer, to an inoperable tumor. He was a Hurricane Katrina survivor and the best beagle I ever had.
Adorable photo!!! Beautiful eyes!!
Shala deserves this...she was a fantastic dog!!!
Shala would be SO perfect for the month of December.
Shala was a beautiful dog and a very loved pet. As a therapy dog she helped a lot of people. She will be perfect for the calendar. It will be a great way to honor her.
GREAT DOG! I HOPE YOU WIN!
Beautiful dog!
beautiful puppy dog eyeballs!
Oh my gosh...Shala is such a cute pup! Look at those eyes. Too adorable.
...So I was there when Shala was first found in the pound. My sister, who was searching for her lost dog, was walking around the pens and I was ahead of her. As I rounded the corner onto a new set of pens, there stood Shala.
If you're ever in the pound, there are so many attention-starved animals that they are bouncing off the wall.
Not Shala. She looked at me like she had known me her whole life And as I remembered my sister saying she had always wanted a Siberian Husky, I knew that I had just seen the future.
Sure enough, my sister rounded the corner, saw Shala for the first time and the rest is history...
...when my sister took Shala home for the first time from the pound, the first question to ask was, "What are you going to name her?"
After a few days and some careful thought, my sister gave the dog perhaps the most creative names of all.
Because, you see..."Shala" means "Beautiful Eyes".
Fitting, no?
Shala was always a good dog. One of my sister's dogs, Lacy, had originally been the only pet and was the center of attention. When my sister brought home Shala for the first time, I was worried there wouldn't be enough room for the two of them.
And, at first, I was right.
Lacy, a mild-mannered beagle, was petrified of Shala. Being so close to Lacy, I was upset with my sister for bringing such a bigger dog in the househould.
But, much to my amazement, within a few days, the two dogs "got over their differences" and became best buds.
In the time Shala was alive, you could tell she was now the protector over Lacy, not the intimidator I originally thought she might be.
As people before me have written, Shala knew when it was time to eat. Like clockwork, she would bark at precisely the right time. (One would wonder if, underneath all that fur, she was wearing a wristwatch).
But, did I say "bark"? No, it was more of a "woo-woo-woo", one of the funniest noises I ever heard from a dog. Even if you tried to instigate Shala, that was her response. Very rarely, if ever, did she bark.
Her "woo-woo-woo" was the extension of her personality. She knew how to convey her needs in a way that wasn't threatening and was almost in a playful way.
You know how if a dog rests on you, and you don't want to get up because you know the dog will move and you just lost your favorite resting place?
That wasn't Shala. She was as docile as any dog I ever met. You could cuddle with her for hours.
Her furry body made the greatest pillow and she never complained. She was just happy to be there in your company.
My sister has a houseful of dogs, each loved in their own special way. And, while the other dogs could get rambunctious and were ever-present, there were times you didn't see Shala around.
But then you'd hear her toenails tapping on the hardwood floor as she made her way around the corner and back into sight again.
I will always think of her when I hear that noise. :o)
Shala deserves this for so many different reasons!!!
Shala was my "grand"dog. She was a sweetheart, a bit lazy, but always ready for a long walk or a ride to anywhere. She had the most gentle nature and everyone who met her loved her. Shala had a sneaky side too. Sometimes she would pretend to want to go outside because she thought she would get a treat when she came back inside. She pulled that trick on me many times. Guess she knew Grandma was a pushover. Shala loved to be loved. When anyone patted her head, her ears would lay back and her face looked as if she was smiling. She would get so excited, she would bounce back and forth on her front paws. She was such a beautiful dog inside and out. With her easy going disposition, she made a perfect therapy dog and brightened the days of many people she came in contact with. Shala would be a beautiful December girl for your calendar.
Shala's Grandma Kay
What a beautiful girl. Her eyes are so expressive.
From what her grandma has told us Shala was a very special dog and the calendar would be a great way to honor her. She gets my vote!
Shala was a really cute dog. She deserves to win the calendar contest!
Shala looks like she was a very content and happy with her home. I wish that I had had the chance to meet her. She would be the perfect candidate to represent one of the winter months on the calender, with a brief description of her breed and her profile.
Shala was the most beautiful sweet dog I have ever met. She deserves it.
Shala is gorgeous, love those eyes. Not to mention she is such a great dog.
Shala was a great bundle of affection! She had 'killer' eyes; as is realized when you view her picture...she was a 'gentle giant' around her canine and human family. She will always be remembered beautifully in the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to have spent time in her company! I think her picture on any calendar would cause one to pause; admire and realize the simple things in life often give us the most pleasure!!!
Shala's work with the elderly was irreplaceable. The lives of those in the rest homes she visited were given new purpose. Those who were long forgotten or neglected from their families now had a kindred spirit in a grand canine that was Shala. Her illuminative and expressive blue eyes captured even the most distant resident of the facility. In fact, one resident who had not spoken in over a year, glistened with a newfound excitement and a zest for life.
Shala touched my life. I was never one to enjoy the company of dogs. Hairy, smelly, bothersome lot, they were. But with Shala's gentle soul and ever-easing demeanor, I slowly grew to love her as one of my own.
I met Shala briefly. My wife was friends with the owners and she could not pick up our pet from their playdate. Begrudgingly, I peeled myself from my day's obligations and went to pick up our dog, Fido Rutherford III. I admit, the dog was more my wife's than mine, but, when my eyes locked with Shala, I felt a calm I had never felt before. Needless to say, after my unintended extended visit, my wife no longer was in charge of the playdates, for it was I who looked forward to each visit.
My children LOVE Shala. I can't tell you how many times I see my little one taking a nap on Shala. Yep, Shala would still be awake, but would never try to take away my son's pillow.
I once had a Siberian Husky for a pet, and, if Shala, was anything like my Snowflake, I know that she brough joy and love to everyone.
S is for super. H is for husky. A is for awesome. L is for loving. A is for adorable.
Omigod, your dog is SO beautiful!
Why didn't you post a picture of ALL of her? She's so pretty!
You would do a grave disservice if you didn't place her prominently on your calendar!
What soulful eyes that dog has! You could get lost in them forever.
Please tell me she was not the only one of her litter. She's far too beautiful for the world to be limited to just one.
Growing up, my family wouldn't let us have dogs. The moment I got out on my own, I went and got a dog, and it was a Siberian Husky. My cousin had one and I KNEW I had to get one for myself.
Since there aren't any other Huskies on here, Shala needs to be the one representing such a great breed on here!
Hey, if we have a Vice Presidential candidate from Alaska, then we need an Alaskan dog on our calendar!
Y'know, we have a Husky, and, even though it sheds everywhere, we wouldn't take anything for her; I know her owners must have been the same way.
You gotta put her in your calendar. We all know what it's like to lose a pet--this would be a great thing to do for the owners. :o)
Awww, I love this picture--how sweet!
I swear, this picture makes me smile every time I see it because it's an expression that makes you weak for dogs everywhere.
I wish I could give your dog a great big squeeze.
My grandfather always had his dog ride with him in his golf cart. Even though I'm sure Shala was a bit big for that, I'm sure my grandfather would have liked her riding by her side just fine.
Give this dog a gold medal for cuteness!
What a beautiful dog. My 2-year old niece is sitting in my lap and saw the picture and said she wants to play with her.
She must have been so great with kids!
I bet she was a great cuddle buddy.
Gosh, her picture makes me want to go out and get a Husky, but my husband would KILL me--we already have 5 dogs!
One of the greatest things about Siberian Huskies are their eyes. Shala is no different.
Looking at those paws, she must have been so big! What a mess of fun she must have been.
I've always wanted a Siberian Husky. For such a big dog, they're not overpowering and are pretty sweet dogs to be around.
Mush, Shala, mush your way onto the calendar!
This picture reminds me of Christmas time at my grandparent's cabin in the mountains. We had a large family, but the center of attention was our Husky at our feet. I miss Mindy. :(
Shala--such a fitting name. My sister just got a puppy--I'm going to tell her what to name her!
She's a rock star!
I can just imagine how much of a joy she must have been!
I feel like I've known her my whole life.
It's no mystery she must have been a great part of the family.
Not the best angle, but you don't need to take a good picture of a Husky to know how beautiful they are.
If I collected dogs, this would be one of them; too beautiful to pass up!
So sorry to hear about such a terrible passing. It's always horrible to lose someone so close to you. I'm sure she was a great dog.
My mom would have loved her. She sounds like such a gentle soul.
Y'know...I'm looking at the vote totals here, and, no offense to the other dogs (they're all beautiful in their own right), how is it that Shala doesn't have more momentum here? This is a dog too special to ignore.
With a face like that, you just know Shala got what she wanted.
Pounds are often seen as the final resting place for lost dogs. I'm so glad Shala was "found."
There's no way this dog found its way in a pound because it was abandoned. The people who originally had her HAD to be wondering where she went; she's far too beautiful to give up.
Dogs are really a man's best friend. I'm sure Shala was no different.
Growing up in a family of 7 meant I had to jockey for attention. When I was 12, our parents bought us a Siberian Husky. Lucy became my best friend and was my confidante throughout the years. She passed away after I went to college, but she helped me cope through so much in my formative years. God Bless Huskies!
Geezus, I need to get a Siberian Husky now!
Awww, she looks so sweet!
I'm sure she was filled with so much spirit.
For a dog with such a sweet disposition, I bet she was an ox when it came to walks!
Siberia did something right with this breed. :o)
I bet she never met a stranger, indeed. She looks so friendly.
If these dogs run the dogsled race, she must have been quite the workout partner in the park!
This picture should be on the cover of the calendar!
Goodness gracious, it's been awhile since I've seen such a pretty dog!
I bet Lacy was well protected with Shala in tow.
Time is a thief. She was taken too soon.
Time is a thief. She was taken too soon.
What a cure for a sad heart.
I can tell you guys fed her well. :o)
Ha! I bet this picture was taken after she did something wrong. And I bet she got out of it too. lol
So photogenic!
I feel so bad for the owners. Losing a dog is bad enough, but to cancer...that's even worse!
The thing about Shala, and any dog for that matter, is all you have to do is look in their eyes and you feel so much better because your friend is right by your side.
"What's for dinner, ma?" Funny expression!
A force to be reckoned with.
Even though I'm not a big dog person, I know I would have liked Shala.
More dogs should be used for therapy. Shala had to have been the gentle dog any older person would have loved.
Spectacular!
I wish I had Shala to fall asleep on.
She was a sweet dog and a perfect addition to any parade.
Forecast for 2009 Calendar: Beautiful eyes in the sky with Shala!
THIS is why you want to clone dogs. 8)
Be honest...you know she wasn't the one left shivering in the winter--beautiful coat!
It's an election year and I vote Shala to be your cover model!
This is a classic dog, and like classy things, a Husky never goes out of style.
She's got heart and that wins out any day from any designer dog.
Love the name!
If she was found at the pound, her owner won the lottery; Huskies are great pets!
We gotta kick cancer so we can beautiful dogs like this around longer. :( :( :(
She's a star in my eyes!
She's the sunshine to anyone's cloudy day!
Huskies are so much fun to play with in the snow!
She needs her own shrine.
Did she ever have any puppies??? I want one!
You rescued her life and she rescued yours.
Blessed are those who are owners of Huskies.
Cute!
Heaven-sent.
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