Shelly is in Doggy Heaven.

Shelly

Shelly is the distinctive-looking Australian Shepherd in the background.

Nickname: Shelly-Belly, Rhumba Rump, Punky-Dunkers, Rotundze

(Apologies to Shelly for not having a better picture of her. The "Velvet Elvis"-looking pooch in the foreground is Beemer. He's also in Doggy Heaven.)

One January, we found her across from a Shell Station. (Given the way we'd selected her name, she was grateful that it wasn't a Citgo or Marathon.) We placed the Found Ad, as required by law, but no one called for her. (Thank you, God.)

Shelly was a high-energy bundle of fluffy love. We think she and Beemer (aka "The Prince of Playtime") were doggy-soulmates. Shelly had numerous nicknames. Among them were "Shelly-Belly" (loved tummy rubs); "Rhumba Rump" (presented her tail-less behind to you as she vibrated with joy upon your arrival); "Punky-Dunkers" (hogged the water when she swam); and, "Rotundzel" (when she gained weight due to an at-first-undetected thyroid condition).

At the beach, she'd swim, then come out and roll until she was fully-coated with sand. I called it "shake and bake", after the chicken product of the same name.

Shell loved being petted... eating... sleeping on the bed... eating... going for walks... eating... swimming... eating and, well... eating.

She was such a cutie!