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In Memory
of Natalie Houpt Boyles
August 19, 1945 - April 19, 2008
Natalie
Boyles began her love of all dogs in 1987 with Jenny, a Treeing Walker
Coonhound/Labrador Retriever. Jenny began Natalie's interest in
training dogs leading to her many involvements in dog clubs and
performance activities. To know Natalie was to know her love and
dedication to dogs, most especially her true love of
Shelties.
Natalie was a member of the Harrisburg Shetland Sheepdog Club and
volunteered for the Dauphin Dog Training Club and Obedience Training
Class of Harrisburg. Through her involvement in the clubs and
activities many people were touched by Natalie's help and kindness,
probably more than she realized. Natalie was very easy to talk to
and down to earth. She helped many dog owners with her training
classes and was always willing to answer any questions about the care
or training of dogs.
Natalie was also successful in both the Obedience and Agility
rings. She
treasured the times when she was able to compete with her beloved
Shelties. She obtained both obedience as well as agility
titles on her Shelties and had hoped to be able to do more in the
future.
Through the years Natalie also took in several rescue dogs, even cases
with major behavorial pproblems or health issues. She showed them
all love and gave them a good life.
Despite health issues, Natalie continued to keep a smile on her face
and
a positive attitude. Her dogs were one of her greatest comforts
when her physical activities were restricted during times of
illness. As her physical condition worsened she did not stop
being
involved, instead she modified her contributions by becoming a web
master of several canine sites including Harrisburg Shetland Sheepdog's
site. Not one growl or grumble would be heard from Natalie
when asked to do yet another website update.
We will never know why Natalie was taken from us, but one thing we do
know
is that Natalie was met on the other side by many of the dogs she loved
and helped though the years. One statement Natalie made when her
Sheltie Nikki passed away was that a piece of her heart went with her,
surely
Nikki was one of the first to leap into Natalie's lap as she crossed
over. Natalie, please watch over our beloved dogs that have
passed before us, no better person could be asked to do such a thing...
"The love
for all living creatures is the noblest attribute of man."
~Charles Darwin
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