Billy

Billy (Buddy was his birth name)

2/12/04 - Buddy left Lexington, NC headed for Maplewood, MN on the evening of Thursday, February 12, 2004. Buddy has a new family now, but is still and always will be in my heart. Buddy will be helping to fill a void in his new family’s heart, due to the loss of Bailey their tri-color Sheltie.

2/13/04 - I received a call around 8:00 pm from Anita, stating the Buddy and Bob had made it home (MN) safe and sound. Buddy has another Sheltie pal to play with, Augie. Buddy is settling in, loves the snow and has already been playing with Bailey’s toys. He is making himself right at home and has already won the hearts of two more people. Two that I believe are very special and will love Buddy and give him the best home possible. A special thanks to Bob and Anita for caring so much for Buddy that they were willing to make the trip to get Buddy. The drive was long for Bob and the wait was great for Anita, but they made it and now Buddy will have a very special family to grow and mature into a wonderful dog. Thanks Bob and Anita!

2/18/04 - I have been receiving up dates on Billy on a regular basis. Anita has been super with the updates. Billy is doing great. He is enjoying the snow and having a super time playing with Bob and Anita. If they leave his site he lets them know about it. He is having a great time in Minnesota, even with the -5 degree weather and snow. He has Anita and Bob to make sure he stays warm and that they do. He is loved so very much by them and in return I am sure that he loves them. Anita sent me some pics of Billy in the snow. I hope you enjoy them. Billy is really growing into a handsome fellow. I am very proud of him and I know that his mom (Belle) and his dad (Gipper) are also.

Billy in Minnesota on February 18, 2004

Billy in the Minnesota snow on February 20, 2004

03/05/04 I received an email from Billy’s family today along with a couple pictures of Billy sleeping in his bed. I think is he getting ready to go out in the snow and play (or maybe just dreaming about it). But, whatever the case is, Billy is doing great and going into a handsome fellow.

Pictures of Billy taking a nap. Boy, does he look comfortable! 03/05/04

03/11/04 Billy was sick and had to be taken to the vet. Billy had test ran, medicine given and also fluid and he is doing much better now. Billy had an experience while at the vet’s. Billy was placed where he could watch 7 Boxer puppies born. Not many people get to go to the vet and be in the room where the puppies are delivered, but Little Billy was able to see it all. Maybe, Billy will be their godfather. Who knows? It was lonesome at home for Billy’s family, including Augie (their other Sheltie). Billy looks up to Augie and Augie loves to be around Billy. Augie and Billy have became a team.

03/13/04 - Billy is doing great. He is back to his normal self. He even took a cover that the family uses to cover up with and put it in his bed and laid down on it with his feet in the air and his back laying in the bed. What a life?!?! Billy is loved so very much and that is what counts. I believe that Billy loves his family. If it were known I bet that Billy missed his family while he was at the vet as much as what they missed him. Billy, you take care and keep an eye on Augie.

03/15/04 Pictured to the left is Augie (left) and Billy (right). Best of pals. From the emails I have received from Billy’s family, Augie really misses Billy when he is not there. They are best friends. I do believe that Billy looks up to Augie. If you have Shelties you know that it is very hard to take pictures of them. They usually are never still enough to take a picture, but this is a great one. “Best Friends” would have to be the caption on this one. Thanks so very much for sharing this special moment with us.

03/24/04 Billy is doing well. Full of energy. Starting to explore the rest of the yard now that the snow is finally leaving in Minnesota. Billy knows how to sit when told. Billy is learning how to obey on the leash so Billy and his family can go on walks with the weather improving it is a perfect time for him to learn. Best Wishes to Billy and his super family. Thanks for all the emails and updates.

03/20/04 - Billy went to the vet today and all went well. Billy weighs 8 pounds. Billy has such a caring family, they decided this year to take separate vacations due to the new kid on the block, Billy. They wanted make sure that Billy was well taken care of, so they each went on a separate vacation, leaving the other one with Billy and Augie. Now that is being devoted. Thye truly love Billy so much. Billy’s family says, “He is such a loving and cuddly dog...”.

04/03/04 - It is with great saddness that I write these remarks. I received an email from Billy’s family on 04/02/04 and the contents very much made my heart heavy and sad. This family lost one of their other Shelties (Bailey - due to age) before getting Billy and now I have just received word that their other Sheltie, Augie (pictured above with Billy) has left their family to be with Bailey. Augie was 15 yrs. old (would have been 16 years old in June). When Augie was younger he loved to go on walks with Anita (walked many, many miles together). Augie was very special to their family. Augie was one of their babies. He was loved and will always be loved and have a very special place in their hearts and no doubt in Billy’s heart. Augie was a very devoted and loving dog. Augie did his best to teach Billy before he left to go and be with Bailey. Billy has his family here and Bailey and Augie now have each other again. My thoughts and prayers are with this family.

05/24/04 I have been receiving weekly updates on Billy and his family. Billy developing in one more handsome dog. He is doing great. Loving all of the attention that he receives. Boy! Does he receive alot of attention from his family. Billy has been losing some of his baby teeth and they have a collection started with his teeth. I lost a tooth the other day while playing ball. From what I understand the Tooth Fairy has been very busy trying to keep up with Billy losing his teeth. Billy is learning all kinds of things. The weather in MN has gotten to where Billy is really enjoying outdoors. Billy’s family loves him so very much and Billy in turn loves all the attention he gets. He has gotten to were he know longer wants to sleep in his baby bed, after all he is a big boy now and get up on the couch and sleep with his family. The below pics were sent to me recently of Billy. Thanks for all the updates on Billy. He is beautiful.

6/11/04 Quoted from email from Anita - “Little Billy is all skinny legs. I love that little guy so much, it is hard for me to go to work in the am, I just want to stay and play and cuddle with him..........
I love to wake up in the middle of the night and feel him all snuggled next to my legs. He is such a wonderful additional ...” Unquoted
Billy is no doubt a sweetie and have a wonderful home. Billy loves to do what Anita calls “stampede” (to run as after as he can through the house). He is only a black blurr when he does this. He is very adorable. Both Billy and his family love each other very much.
Billy has gotten a home that he can be loved in and a family that he can love. They are truly loved by each other. Thanks!!!

August, 2004: I received updates on Billy, weekly. Billy’s family loves him as much as he loves them. They go on walks and even trips to get ice cream.
I, Bonnie volunteer for the H.A.R.T. Foundation (rescue for dogs and puppies that need loving homes) and Billy made a donation in honor of the new family of Shelties at Southern Sunset Kennels (Billy’s new sisters and brother). Billy made the donation with his allowance money and his family allowed him to use their credit card to make the donation through Paypal. Thanks so very much to Billy and his family. The H.A.R.T. Foundation (www.hartfoundation.org) is such a great rescue and need your support. Thanks so very much!

August, 2004: Pictures of Billy, I received from his family. He is most definitely a handsome fellow.

Billy and his family writes on a regular basis. I usually talk with them at least once a week sometimes more often. Billy and his family are doing great. Billy is very special to his family. Billy has helped to fill the void of the loss of both Augie and Bailey and I do believe that they would be so proud of him to know that he is making his family proud of him and making them to happy.

Email from Billy on 12/16/04:
Quote “Hi Bonnie. Mom and dad let me use the computer to thank you for your birthday wishes. Mommy read me your letter. I am a big boy now and pops even gave me some big boy food mixed in with my baby food. Mom woke me up on my birthday and gave me a 15 minute rub on my belly. That sure felt good! I still remember how nice you were to me and i consider you my mom from North Carolina because you loved me and took such good care of me when I was just a little thing and could not even open my eyes.... Please tell my mama, Belle and my dad, Gip that I love them and am enjoying life here in Minnesota. The cold weather does not bother me, I like being outside and always try to sneak my soccer ball outside when I have to go potty. Mom or dad usually take it from me, so I can do my business. My dad bought me some new rawhide treats for my birthday and mom got a cookbook to make treats for "precious pets". I like helping mom out in the kitchen when she makes things. Merry Christmas to you Bonnie. PS-I like that you still have my picture hanging over your hutch at work. Like I said when you had me on puppyfind.com, I think I am the best looking of the bunch, but dont tell my brothers or sisters, they may be jealous! Love, Billy xxxooxoxoxoxo” unquote

Congrats to Billy - 4/21/05 Billy came to North Carolina from MN to get his new sis. Billy has a little sister to play with and teach how to play soccer. No doubt after seeing Annabelle with Billy today, he has his hands full. She is a character and I can just see the soccer game as it is in the 2nd half and Billy thinking that he is in control of the game when out of no where, Annabelle skirts under Billy and away she goes with the ball. GOAL! The game is tied and Billy looks in amazement as Annabelle jumps up in the air and flips and lands on all four, ready to put it in 4 wheel drive. The two minute buzzer alarms and Billy . . . . . (Folks we are out of time and the games plays on.) We’ll catch up with you later.
Can’t you just imagine how it would end. Does Billy make a come back or does little Annabelle show him how to play the game? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
The pictures below are of Billy while he was in North Carolina getting his sister.

What a beautiful (well, handsome) fellow. He is gorgous. He was so sweet and loving. It is for certain that Billy’s family adores and loves him. No doubt by his actions to them that he loves them. Keep checking back with Billy and Annabelle to see how they are getting along. Congrats Billy on your little sister. Take care of her and don’t let her get by with toooooooo much. Hey! After all you are the oldest. You are her Big Brother, so take care of her. Thank you and your family so much for coming back to Southern Sunset Kennels to get your sister. You are a very precious family.

Billy celebrating 2006!!!!

Billy wishing all a “Happy Valentine’s Day”

Pictures of Annabelle (left) and Billy (right) 11-14-09 Coats for the Minnesota winter weather

Billy wishing all a “Happy Valentine’s Day”

Pictures of Annabelle watching planes take off at the airport in MN with her family. 07/20/13

Pictures of Annabelle (far)and Billy (near) 04/13/13

Pictures of Annabelle (right side)and Billy (near) 11/27/14