"Momma's Pooh Bear" is what I called her. I am 37 years old, married and have two sons, ages 7 and 12. November 7,2007 was the day I buried the only daughter I will ever have. Shelby was her name and she was a beautiful red chow that would have been 16 years old on December 6th. I can remember the day I picked her up, paying a whopping $50.00 for her. Little did I know that she would become such a big part of my life. I originally went looking for a black chow. Shelby was the runt and was red. She came and sat right between my feet. She looked like a big ball of red fur. That was it. I knew right then that she chose me and how could I turn her away. She was my baby from that very moment. I have tons of wonderful memories. My husband and I treated her and our Basset Hound just like our children. Our first son was not born until Shelby was 5 years old. She slept with us, had birthday parties and of course Santa came to see her. I have worked as a veterinary technician for over 9 years now. Shelby has had two knee surgeries, hip surgery, and even some plastic surgery to correct constant irritation of her rear end. My husband always called her the "bionic dog". I know some people may find some things a little extreme. I would do any of this for my children. This was the same thing. As time passed, Shelby of course aged. She needed to begin taking thyroid medicine, athritus, and medicine for incontinence. She was happy though. She got around good until the very end. She liked going to the beauty shop. She could smell the buttered popcorn we popped at night from the other room. In her last few months, she could see very little, hear very little, and had tremendous trouble walking. She could not get up on her own. My husband, sons, and myself constantly were picking up her back end. She tried so hard. I could see she wanted to run and play, but she just could not. She would have her good days, but she had more bad days than good. I knew the time was coming. I just could not imagine making that decision. I see people have to make this decision every day and have to tell their beloved pets goodbye. You would think I would be able to prepare myself for this fateful day. Well, there is no possible way that I could ever been prepared for the amount of hurt, sadness, and loss that I felt on that night and still continue to feel two weeks later. My veterinarian came to my house on that Wednesday night. My whole family was there, including my parents, and in laws. She was at home in the living room with everyone who loved her right there with her. I held her as she took her last breath. She did not cry. She just went to sleep. I tell people at work that their pets simply went to sleep. I know this is true as Shelby did the same thing. I tell people this to try and make them feel better. Now, I honestly do not know if there is anything that I can say or do that will make this type of pain any easier. Like I told my husband, I swear my heart completely, without a doubt ripped into two pieces. She took such a big piece with her. Later that night we were talking and my husband told our boys that he really could not ever remember having to scold Shelby. She was just a good dog. I know chows are known for agression, but she was so different. She loved everybody. My children played with her all their lives and she never once showed any type of agression. She was just so very special. She was my pooh bear. I have prayed for the strength to get past this. I know it will eventually be easier with time. I also know there is no way I will ever stop missing my Shelby. If you are reading this, thank you. I know there are tons of stories on this site and many are alike in lots of ways. Even though some of these stories are alike does not mean these wonderful beings are all alike at all. They are all special in their own way. According to my story I had the best daughter a mom could ever have. She without a doubt took a huge piece of me with her when she left. She also, without a doubt deserved that big piece of me. She gave me so much during her 16 years. She will never be forgotten and can never be replaced. Thank you so much for reading her story. Shelby, momma loves you and misses you so much. I will see you soon. Love, me.