Rich-Hills's Koani of Windsong
aka Koani
9/26/1995 - 1/27/2008

Sire: NS bCH Mason-Dixon's Pinewood Rebel
Dam: Rich Hills Chelsa Rae of Zion

How do you start to tell the life long love of your life, when they have left this world? 

Let me tell you how very special my girl was and how it began in 1995.  I remember looking in Dog Fancy magazine when I spotted they beautiful Shiloh Shepherds, I had never seen them before and was taken by their beauty and elegance, so I called Wendy Fullerton and we talked for hours.  I then decided right there that I wanted a puppy.  I traveled from Rhode Island to Gainesville, NY, some 12 hours of snow on my journey, I had already picked out her name of "Koani" from a wolf pack they I adopted in the wild. It's a Blackfoot Indian name meaning "loves to play."  The snow was getting bad and they were calling for a blizzard, but that did not stop me from getting my girl.  I finally reached Wendy's house and spent some time with her, when this little ball of fur came out and was kissing me all over, I knew that she would be mine. 

The trip home was tough poor Koani was car sick and throwing up, I was by myself and had to pay attention to the snow driven roads, I played a wolf CD for her and she would try to howl to it.  Well, We made it home in 16 hours. I tried to crate her in for the night, but she would not have it, from there on for 12 years she slept in my bed with me.  When she was 6 months, we started obedience classes and to no surprise she excelled into advanced groups.  Twice a week we went to school and that's all I had to say was school and she was soooooo excited.  Koani finished Obedience school and was looking for something else, so we started with agility and she loved it.  She would jump 5 foot walls, go thru tunnels, cat walks etc.  Meanwhile every where We went people would say "Is that a Belgian shepherd? Australian Shepherd, Akita mix you name it but I proudly said she is a Shiloh Shepherd! 

When we first went to our first home coming I was sooo excited and sooo was Koani, she was looking at all the others and then would look at me to say "Mom they all look like Me."  She received her Good Citizens Award, I was soooo proud of my girl.  I loved showing her off.  Wendy and I spent some time talking about a male she had "Gunner" and he was so handsome.  I went down to VA.  where Wendy was now living and introduced Gunner to her, LOVE at first sight.  He was the perfect gentle man and my protector.  I then got into Search and Rescue with Koani and this was her real calling.  She was so direct and in tune with helping to find people, so twice a week We trained.  She loved to swim for hours and would dive to look for things.  One day we had a call that an older was lost in the woods in the middle of winter.  Koani an I put our orange gear on and set out to Foster, RI. within an hour. We arrived and so did everyone else, police, State police, etc.... State police thought their dogs were better suited for the jump, but they didn't know Koani's drive, she took over and found the man.  She was sooo happy and I was soooooooo proud.

Then came the move to Arizona in 2004, I thought that I wanted a change in life careers, so We pack up and drove here.  Gunner had it.  He had always loved the snow having them between s his paws and then come into the house with a fireplace and now 120 degree summer.  Koani didn't mind so much.  Her hips were starting to give her trouble and I could not face reality that she would not be here, I rather have gone first, but instead it was Gunner who died in DEC 1, 2005 of lymphoma. GOD they crushed me and Koani didn't know what to do, she was lost without her buddy.  I really feel he was just a gentle spirit that he wanted to go before her, I don't think he would have lasted that long without her around.    Koani's hips progressively had gotten worse, and one Sunday I had to make a decision that no one wants to make, it was not a good one.  I knew she was in a lot of pain and the Vet told me at her age there was nothing they could do, her nerve from her back had deteriorated that she lost all function.  I would have given her my life if I could have, I spent 4 hours at the Emergency Room every time I went to get the Vet, I would go and spend more time with her, you don't know pain until you lose something that is part of your heart and soul.  Koani's Journey on this earth ended that day, but she lives on and she is beside me everyday to let me know.  She was my Sweet pea and someday I can't wait to be with her and Gunner again and we will never be apart again.

Sadly Missed,
Mommy

Gunner • Rebel