Inspiration

www.fightcruelty.com

http://www.tvgrr.com/

ASPCA
Owner and Designer of D'Shell Designs,
Dawn Graham, is a Member and a Monthly
Supporter of The American Society of the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

TVGRR
Owner and Designer of D'Shell Designs is
a supporter of the Tennessee Valley Golden
Retriever Rescue, Inc..

Friends Fur Life
Owner and Designer of D'Shell Designs,
Dawn Graham, and her husband, Tom,
adopted Kayden from the Friends Fur Life
pet rescue organization. Kayden was one
of 10 dogs, rescued by this organization,
from a Humane Society in Kentucky, who
were going to be euthanized.

Kayden at 9-10 months, just
before he became part of our
family!

D'Shell Designs proudly supports the
following organizations...

The Designer's dogs are the inspiration behind each of her lines. She and her husband, Tom, currently have four dogs, three of which they have
rescued. On this page, she shares some photos and stories about each of the dogs they have had over the years.

Ciem (1987-2000) was our first dog as a married couple. She was a petite, light red and
white Siberian Husky, almost strawberry blonde in color. We got her from a couple who
raised and showed Siberian Huskies in Placerville, CA. We actually met them when we
responded to a classified ad for Tonnerre. They were not able to show him, and were
looking to find him a good home. By the time we were able to visit them, Toni had
already found a family, but I think we were meant to meet this couple. They owned seven
Siberian Huskies, and did not have any children; the dogs were their children! We
became fast friends and would make frequent trips to visit them and their dogs. We really
bonded with one of their dogs, Ciem. Ciem was one that needed more attention than the
others and wasn't getting along with one of the other females, so they asked us if we would
like to adopt her. There wasn't even a hesitation! Ciem came home with us in June of
1989 and never looked back. She had quite a personality. She was confident, happy and
fun-loving most of the time, but expected the royal treatment… so emerged her nickname,
“The Queen of Sheeba.”

Tonnerre, Toni, for short (1988-2002), was a grey and white Siberian Husky. A few
months after we brought Ciem home, Toni needed a foster home. The family who had
adopted him was having problems and couldn't take care of him. We took him in, thinking
it was a temporary stay. He was a good companion for Ciem. They played and got along
great together. They would play a stalking game with each other, like they were out in the
wild, and oh how they loved to howl together. We all got very attached to Toni and were
pleasantly surprised when we found out we had the option to keep him permanently! Toni
and Ciem moved to Tennessee with us in 1990. On the drive from California, Ciem rode
with Tom, and Toni rode with Dawn. Toni was very well behaved. Ciem, on the other
hand, got into the driver’s seat of the Ryder truck and locked us out! Then she made a
loud scene going up stairs at the hotel that we were sneaking them into (where no dogs
were allowed)! We did all make it to our destination safely and bought a home with a big
yard. Toni and Ciem had many years of happiness with us. Toni was very protective of his
family and territory. He could be intimidating to those who didn’t know him, and was a
bit temperamental in his younger years. In fact, we anticipated that he might become
crotchety in his old age, but he actually softened up and became very loving. He really
enjoyed our nightly walks and a juicy piece of steak off the grill!

Pepper (1992-2004) was a black Labrador Retriever. When Ciem was five years old and
Toni was four, they got a baby brother. He wasn't planned! We had gone to look at a
puppy with some friends of ours and… enter Pepper. He was the runt of the litter and saw
his ticket to a better life when he jumped in Dawn's arms. The first three months of his life
with us were almost unbearable. He slept next to our bed in a crate and whined all night,
every night. We were at our wits’ end, and I think he knew it, because he suddenly
changed his ways. He had no more “accidents” and started sleeping through the night!
He turned out to be one of our best-behaved dogs. He had a close bond with Ciem, who
took him under her wing almost immediately. Pepper was very friendly; “a lover not a
fighter!” He enjoyed everyone and everything! Always excited about whatever was going
on at the time, he demonstrated the traits of a typical lab. His favorite activity was
chasing the ball, which he would do until he dropped if we let him. He was eight years
old when Ciem passed away. That was a terrible loss for all of us. Although Pepper and
Toni had a “love-hate” relationship through the years, they became pals after going
through their loss together. Pepper was ten years old when Toni closed his eyes for the
last time. Things were really tough for awhile, and we waited a few months before
beginning the search for a new companion for Pepper.

Kendra (born in 2002) is a chocolate Labrador Retriever. We found a classified ad for a
litter of chocolate Lab puppies and contacted the family. We took Pepper with us to see
them. He helped us pick out Kendra! They got along so well right from the start. He
showed her the ropes and she caught on quickly. We would take them to a nearby park
every Sunday afternoon, where Kendra learned to swim. Pepper had always been afraid of
water, but he would get his feet wet as he watched Kendra fetch sticks from the river.
Inconsistent with her athletic spirit, Kendra seems to like all things feminine. We call her
our “girly-girl” because she has an eye for shoes and handbags. She loves to make trips
to the closet and check out my latest fashion purchases. Pepper and Kendra had two really
good years together before Pepper passed away. Kendra mourned like we hadn't seen any
of the others mourn. We kept her with us as much as possible so that she wouldn't feel so
alone. We all really felt the loss and developed a special bond with Kendra during that
time. We didn't wait very long before looking at rescue organizations to find her a friend.

Kayden (born in 2003) is a mixed breed male who came to us through Friends Fur Life
Rescue Organization in January of 2004. They brought him over for a visit, which went
so well that he stayed. He was such good healing medicine for all of us. To this day, you
can just tell that he is so thankful and appreciative to be with us. He is our 80 pound lap
dog! He and Kendra were a playful and loving pair right from the start. They love to
chase each other around the yard and play tug-of-war. We have nicknamed Kayden, “the
park leader” as he can always come up with a game from just about anything. He is very
animated in all that he does, and is funny to watch as he goes about his business.

Sierra (born in 2005) is a Boxer-Hound mix. Although we had decided that we were best
able to manage and care for two dogs, God had a different plan in mind. One early spring
morning just a few months after we adopted Kayden, Tom found a little puppy while he
was running in the neighborhood. The poor little thing was cold and scared, huddled near
the curb between two leaf bags. So, he brought her home. We tried to find her owners,
but, after no luck, figured someone hadn't wanted her and just dropped her in our
neighborhood. So, we made a place for her in our family and named her Sierra. She was
only about 8 weeks old when she came to stay with us, but she fell right into the routines
and learned the rules quickly…and developed quite a personality! We all adapted to the
new family dynamic. Our nightly walks got to be a bit more challenging, but after some
practice, we all got into the groove. Sierra made a real effort to get up to speed quickly
and be “part of the gang.” She found her place in our family, taking her position as “the
little one” to the limits. She’s over dramatic, exaggerated and seeks lots of attention. She
has one of the most unique personalities of all our dogs.

Colt (born in 2006) looks just like a miniature of Kayden, but we think he has some Jack
Russell Terrier in him, because he can jump a six-foot privacy fence! We thought we were
at our limit with the crew we had… until this little guy came along. Ironically, one
morning Dawn went out to run and found this cute dog at the fence visiting with Kendra,
Kayden and Sierra. He followed her as she ran her course, and when she came home, she
let him come in the back yard to visit with the other dogs. They all played well together
despite that he was only half their size. He had no identification on him, so we got him
scanned for a microchip, put up signs around the area, and checked the paper for “lost
dog” ads, but no one claimed him. So, he became ours. The first few weeks were a
struggle for us trying to keep him from jumping the fence. It was more recreation for him
than an escape. He would always show up at the front doorstep after a few minutes of
freedom. But now he has very little interest in the fence, or in jumping over it. He is all
about playing with the other dogs, especially Kayden. Not only does Colt look like a
miniature Kayden, but they have the same personality and mannerisms. They even make
the same distinct noise when they yawn! Colt is “all boy,” full of energy, uncomplicated
and always up for a challenge.