On April 16, 2007, the world lost a great Sheltie, and I lost a great friend.  I didn’t own Gemini, but I loved him unconditionally as if he were one of my own furkids.  I met Gemini in 2000 when his owners, Celesta and John Kirch, brought him to my kennel to board.  I had always wanted a Sheltie, but I had never found the perfect one—that is, until I met Gemini.  I took one look at him, and I knew this was the perfect Sheltie.  Gemini had everything I had been looking for—both brains and beauty.  He had the most luxurious coat I had ever seen, and the expression in his eyes melted my heart.  He had a playful bark, he pranced when he walked, and he had an unsurpassed joy for life.  I asked Celesta and John where they had purchased him, and they told me he was from Himark Shelties in Palm Harbor, Florida.  Soon afterward, I contacted Judy Guaraldo of Himark and made a deposit on my own perfect Sheltie puppy, Chelsea.  For the next 3 years, Gemini was a regular at my kennel—but he soon left the kennel behind to stay in my home with me and my furkids.  He slept in the bed with us and lounged on my couch during the day.  Gemini became a big part of my life, and Celesta and John became my very dear friends.  I was very sad when Celesta, John, and Gemini moved back to Florida.  We have kept in touch, and I had the good fortune to visit all of them in April 2006.  Gemini gave me so many gifts, and my life is so much richer for having known him.  Because of Gemini, I have my dear friends Celesta and John in my life.  Because of Gemini, I met my dear friend Judy Guaraldo of Himark Shelties.  And, most of all, because of Gemini, I have ten beautiful and perfect Himark Shelties of my own.  I always said that Gemini was my “reason to believe” in Shelties.  In fact, to honor Gemini, I named one of my own Shelties Jackson Gemini (Himark’s Reason to Believe).  My dear Gemini, I will miss your playful barks, your smiling face, and your expressive eyes.  I will always love you, and I will be eternally grateful for the joy you have brought to my life.  May God bless you and keep you safe in His loving arms.  Nem, you will always be my reason to believe.