Cathi's Cayla of Windsong
March 26, 1996 - April 5, 2006

Sire: JNK's Smokin' Black Bear of Zion
Dam: Windsong  Sheshesharona of Zion

Cayla was my introduction to the Shiloh Shepherd, and what an  introduction!!  I had always had large shepherd type dogs, mostly  rescued from various situations.  However, as the years had gone by,  I had developed an interest in raising parrots.  My "animal family"  had always coexisted together....  dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea  pigs, because it was just an understanding that we all got along. I  had decided that I really wanted to bring a puppy home, but needed to  know that she would fit in with my "strange" menagerie.  I researched  and found the shiloh which seemed to have the perfect qualities that  I was looking for.  I then found Wendy, who brought Cayla into my  life.  Cayla was everything that I could have ever hoped for.

    She always was loving and gentle to every living creature, including  her stuffed animals.  When the cats needed a secure place to sleep,  you could find them curled up in Cayla's embrace.  When my baby birds  would take their 1st flight, it was Cayla's soft "landing pad" that  they would glide to.  When I was sad, tired, or just frustrated,  Cayla was always there for me to just hold on to and hug. She was my  best friend throughout life's heartaches and joys.

    When my life turned in a new direction, and I left Pennsylvania and  a teaching career, to become a full time bird breeder in Texas, Cayla  faced the new adventure with me.  She amazed everyone at the farm  with her "undoglike" behaviors.  They raise mini-bull terriers here.   She was so gentle and caring with all critters on the farm.  She was  nicknamed - "the walking stuffed animal" and just "Fluffy" by my  coworkers.  My most memorable occasion when I came to the farm was  the day that I heard a chicken "crying".  Cayla had not come when I  called her.  I went out looking for her, and I came across the most  amazing sight....  A chicken was sitting on a stoop, with Cayla  licking her.  The chicken was sure that she was dinner, but Cayla was  only greeting a new friend.  As I said, she was even gentle with her  stuffed animal friends.  I had given her a stuffed racoon on her 1st  Christmas.  She carried "Racoonie" around everywhere with her for 10  years.  She never tore him.  He came to Texas with us, where there  were a number of times that she had to remember to put him safely  away from mini-bull mouths.  He went over the rainbow bridge with her  in April.  I anxiously await a little sister to Cayla.   I know that  Cay will look down and guide me in her training.

    Rest well my friend, and know that you were loved.  I know that your  spirit is here with me everyday.

Cathi Graham