In Loving Memory of Our Boys, Oscar & Bailey

Oscar was an extraordinary dog. He loved life and truly appreciated each day he had on this earth. He sat for endless hours in the grass (or snow, or sand) and sniffed the air, watched the birds flying a mile over his head, wagged his tail at children and other dogs as they walked by. Oscar knew each of his possessions by name, he had an extensive 'vocabulary' and understood many concepts - his intelligence delighted friends, family and total strangers. He made many friends where ever we went and was always invited back - even where dogs were never allowed before. People constantly asked us how we ever got such a wonderful dog. And I always thought I was the luckiest dog-mom in the world.

Oscar's favorite activity in the universe was catching a Frisbee with his Dad. He began his remarkable hobby one 4th of July weekend on the beach. In front of hordes of enthusiastic onlookers, Oscar learned the skill of chasing, jumping and catching his Frisbee. Throughout the summer, he waited happily and patiently under his umbrella, next to his fresh bowl of ice cubes, while mommy and daddy played volleyball. After a game or two, Oscar would trot over to our beachbag, unzip the outer pocket with his nose and retrieve his flying disk. He'd find his Dad, plop the Frisbee on his feet and bark once or twice. They would play and play while beachgoers clapped and cheered. Daddy was always so proud of his 'son'. And Oscar adored his daddy more than anything. His squeals of ecstasy were certain proof whenever daddy came home - whether he was gone for an hour or a week.

We decided one day that Oscar might like a brother to play with - and found a precious Sheltie pup who had been caged for most of his 6 month life. We brought him home, named him Bailey and began teaching him how wonderful life can be. Bailey was skittish and unsocialized but quickly and happily learned from mommy and daddy's patient lessons and by mimicking Oscar's behavior. The two were constant companions - Oscar the older, wiser, confident dog and Bailey the bouncy, squiggly, tag-a-long.

Only 2-1/2 months after Bailey joined our family, on January 2, 1997, my husband and I lost both our dogs to a horrible drowning accident on a partially frozen lake. They chased some small animal onto the ice and the ice broke through. They cried out in terror and pain from the cold. Bailey could only swim for a short time and then he was gone. Oscar held on for quite some time - but not long enough for the Rescue group to get to him. My husband and I each tried to cross the ice and water to save them. Alan fell through and barely got back to me on the dock. I tried crashing through the ice with a row boat and one oar - but I could only move inches at a time. We were both treated in the hospital for exposure. This incident happened on the day of my father's funeral.

Our lives are permanently changed. The torment of watching and hearing your dogs drown is a living nightmare; it plays over and over in our minds, it finds its way into our dreams night after night. Two things have helped us keep our sanity and hope: we learned of a group called Sheltie Rescue. Alan and I now volunteer for the Rescue effort in our area. We are eager to help Oscar and Bailey's brothers and sisters find new, happy and loving homes. We also learned of Rainbow Bridge on Farokh's website. We are forever in his debt for allowing us the hope that we will someday be reunited with Oscar and Bailey, and all of our beloved pets, on Rainbow Bridge when our time is come. Please GOD, take care of our boys.

We love you Oscar. We love you Bailey.

- mommy and daddy

Karen & Alan Warren

STUDIOKAMA@worldnet.att.net