Kaleb
February 14th he is being sent to Alaskan Malamute Rescue Of Ohio.
Due to my husband saying “No” to keeping a third dog in our family,
He said that I have to find him a new home.
After living with four dogs and a cat most of my life before marriage,
this was hard to be placed into a position where I had no control.
This just breaks my heart. It feels like the same kind of pain a
mother would feel if she had to give up her child for adoption.
You see… Where he is going is back to where I found him in the beginning.
I can’t stand the thought that I have to return him for Kaleb has a
precious heart and soul and he is so full of love.
He may not understand why he isn’t home where he belongs
and I don’t ever want to leave him feeling like it was his fault
or that he was singled out or unloved.
I know he may wonder why he can’t remain a part of my family.
All of this is hard for me And what really hurts is I didn’t
get to spend my last night with him.
Another sad part about this it’s scheduled to
happen on Valentines Day.
Some Valentines Day for Kaleb or for me.
…..Here is a poem I wrote for him….
Dear Kaleb:
Even Though We’re Far Apart
I’ll always keep you right here in my heart
And I Miss You So Kaleb,
I love you with all of my heart
All the love joy and laughter we’ve shared
All the precious moments we hold in our memories
Is something special only we both can share
And where ever you may go I know for sure
There is someone who needs you more
Deep in my heart I want you to know
Your precious love will help another in need
I only hope you understand it’s not because of me
If I had my way I’d never let you go but I can’t
stop what’s meant to be
You’ll always be a part of my life
Every moment I live and breathe
I’ll always feel your free spirit so bright
And that will remain a part of me
Dedicated to:
Kaleb Benson Strait
If anyone has had to experience the emotional
pain of being forced to put up one of their
precious babies for adoption.
May you know that you are not alone.
We have to keep the faith that
Where ever their new home will be
They are happy and loved
With plenty of room to run and play
Where their spirit can be free.
~ Libby B. Strait ~
Kaleb I wish we were together
But you’re in my heart forever.
With all my love I miss you.
Libby
…This is the story of how I met Kaleb…
Years ago I found this precious love Kaleb.
I had always wanted to have an Alaskan Malamute in my family.
Then one day I found Kaleb at the Alaskan Malamute Rescue
Center in Ohio. They let me meet with many then Kaleb came up
to me so preciously he was enthusiastic about life.
He’s so full of life and love and Immediately I knew he was going
to be the right one. There was something special about Kaleb
and I knew it was meant to be. He wanted to show me all around
his territory and he did with enthusiasm and joy.
I brought both of my other dogs with me as I felt that it would
be very important that they meet and instantly they hit it off it
was as though they were instant pals.
Pepper my third dog was too old and not well enough to take
the trip It was about a two hour drive so she stayed home.
However I already knew Pepper would get along with anyone.
First I let Kaleb meet Sheba my German Shepherd and Kaleb
took to Sheba very well. They took the tour of Kaleb’s territory
and played around for a while.
After I placed Sheba back into the car then I introduced Kaleb
to Sammy my white Samoyed and they proceeded to go through
the same routine and play as well.
That’s when I realized that they would get along just fine.
I was so happy I could just burst!
At that point I realized that Kaleb was the one who showed instant
love and happiness so homeward bound we all went together.
Once we all arrived home I let them run in the back yard and they
had a blast. They played ran and jumped as though they were playing
leap-frog. It was a great way for Kaleb to be welcomed to his new home.
Through the years we developed a language with each other.
He would talk to me by the different variations and tonalities of howling
this was how I knew what he wanted. He was ornery and playful
at any given moment. He loved to be loved and cuddled.
Kaleb showed respect to who had seniority of the back yard
and there was no fight at all.
Kaleb was a camera hog he loved to have his picture taken.
He would strike a pose and hold it naturally.
As you can see by this picture he was happy and full of love.
He always wanted to be where I was he would follow me and
stay by my side. He had such pure unconditional love.
Kaleb to this day touches the hearts of everyone who knows him.
I was to be married December 28th 1998 and before
our wedding My husband told me that he would love to have
all three dogs and our cat move to our home in Tennessee
and I believed he really meant what he said.
Two of my precious babies stayed in Ohio where I could go visit
them on a regular basis. But when it came to having to move
them to Tennessee he changed his mind for what ever reasons.
It was very hard to have to make such a decision to let Kaleb move on
but when my husband said that there was no way he would allow
three dogs in our home this left me no other choice.
He said that he wouldn’t take Kaleb and that just broke my heart.
I pondered over this for a long time and never said a word to anyone,
I guess I was simply hoping that maybe he would change his mind.
On Valentine’s Day 2000 Kaleb was returned to the Rescue Center.
What a very heartbreaking day it was. I know that where ever Kaleb
goes His new family will fall in love with him like I have.
To this day I will always know Kaleb gave me the gift of pure
unconditional love. His memory will always live on in my heart.
As he will with other’s who love him as well.
At sunrise on Valentine’s Day,
I called Ohio from Tennessee,
And asked to speak to Kaleb on the telephone,
so they placed it by his ear…
I said…
“Kaleb I love you baby,
Oh I love you so much.
I will always be with you
And you will always be
in my heart.”
Then I was told…
Kaleb kissed the phone and wagged his tail.
You know His love in my heart will go on.