Post of the Week 9/29/08: Shadow
Posted by: shulburt in Life Outside of School, tags: German Shepherd, Shadow, time to say goodbyeThis week’s post is written on a sad note for me. I was told tonight that my parents will be taking their 14 year old German Shepherd, Shadow, to the vet in the morning. It is time to say goodbye. Her old body has given way and no medicine can take away her pain any longer. It is time to say goodbye…
Shadow came to live with them when she was about 4 months old in November of 1994. True to her name, she was always following my mom around…her little Shadow. Over the years Shadow played an integral part in all of our lives. She was my mom’s baby (and a spoiled baby she was!), she was Timber’s “sister” (teaching him right from wrong…and yes-even getting him in trouble some when they were young), she was Sophie’s teacher (let’s just say that Sophie needed SOMEONE to teach her that she wasn’t top dog in every household) and she was our third dog (even though she only lived with us when my parents went on vacation-our home was her 2nd home…and she knew it too). When she came to stay with us, she became my shadow. She slept at the foot our my bed each night, and followed me everywhere I went even if I was only stepping out of the room for a minute. She had a favorite spot where she liked to lay-right between the dining room table and front window. From this position she had the perfect view of the street…and the kitchen to see anybody who came into the house. I suppose on some level she was also remembering all of those Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners where many tasty morsels fell from the table to the floor (compliments of Carrie & Christopher) which she promptly scarfed up and was hoping that there would be more if she waited there long enough. She was such a sweet dog, sweeter than you could ever imagine. Her giant chocolate brown eyes were windows to the love that she held in her heart for each and every one of us. She especially loved the kids. They too spoiled her and took great care of their Grandmommy & Grandaddy’s dog. They even went so far as to spoon feed her when she refused to eat (okay…as an old dog she had a few little personality quirks that we had to find some creative solutions too)
It feels strange to be typing the word “was”…I know she is still here in body…at least for now…but I also know that she is not the Shadow I know and love right now. Right now she is hurting, not happy and playful. Right now she is in pain and it is time to say goodbye. I know that this decision, as heart wrenching as it is for my parents is the right one. I know that Shadow will now be free from the body that has failed her and given her grief. She will be waiting for us in Dog Heaven, and will be greated by our other canine friends. Shogun, Shaira, Sama, Shiloh, Tigger, Blue, and Lobo…please take care of my Shadow.
Goodbye Shadow. We will see you in our dreams and hearts…forever.
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September 29th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
My heart goes out to you all. Carrie shared with me this morning about the loss of your family’s German Shepherd. I know all to well how gut wrenching it can be to lose an animal, even more so to have to explain it to a child and watch them go through the good byes. One thing we, as adults, have learned though is that, through the tears, we find healing. Our memories keep us close to our lost loves, be them animals or human. I also shared with Carrie a memory I have of the first time I experienced losing a pet. I couldn’t remember quite how old I was, but thinking back, I must have been about her age. Anyway, my chocolate and caramel marble patterned Labrador was hit by a car at my grandmother’s house. He was taken to the vet soon after where he had his leg amputated. There was no way to save it as nerves had been severed and the leg would be of no use to him. The unfortunate part, was that after my dog was sent home and a few days passed, the amputated leg had become infected and the infection was spreading rapidly through the rest of his hind area. The veterinarian said that it would only worsen and that the only humane action to take would be to lay him down. God, I cried and cried and cried. I was so upset. At that age, it’s so hard to understand and come to terms with it. I find it so silly and selfish now, but I remember back then I was so angry that I yelled up into the sky at God, letting him know just how upset I was with him, that I wasn’t going to forgive him. Of course, in time I apologized to God, realizing that it was just his time to go. A couple of years ago my roommate’s Yorkie had a litter of puppies. As with many litters, a runt was born. She had many complications and, being avid animal lovers, my roommates and I combined our efforts and took the poor newborn to the animal hospital and our local veterinarian several times. Over a thousand dollars later, we had to put her down as well. Man, nothing is quite as disheartening as that. Seeing that little body and knowing she never had a fighting chance killed me. I find my eyes welling up just writing about it. Our veterinarian office sent a prayer for lost animals in the mail to our house. It is a wonderful piece of writing that anyone who is an animal lover could seek comfort in when they lose a beloved pet. I will bring you a copy to share with your family.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
wow that must have bin a hard time for you guys loseing shadow.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
This story reminded me when my dog Q died.He would sleep at the side of my bed.I liked how you said that she thinks that she is in charge.I think that you could add more flashy vocab.I would like to hear more of your stories.My dog Q
was the best dog ever!I will always keep him in my heart.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Mrs.Hulburt, that is so sad. I know that must hurt very badly. I know how it feels to loose something you love as a dog, cat, rabbit, or rat. I have had so manny deaths with pets, but the way you put this in to the story just touched my heart completeley. I feel like I am about to cry because that brought back many memories that I think I should write about. Although it will probably be complicated for you, how do you feel about this? How do you know he was going to die? I think that you should make another story about your pet(s). Okay, I have to practice the piano now, but thank you Mrs.Hulburt, for being sensitive in your stories and yourself. Bye.
Johanna
October 1st, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I have a dog the same as Shadow she’s a black lab. Her name is Shosh. She will foouled you every were. Next time and more detals.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
Mrs hulbert I like your writeing and I have the same thing happening to me but it is a boy and that is my baby brother will that is all I want to tell you so bye. justin
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
I feel really bad about that.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Mrs. Hulburt that was a very nice and sad story. I felt very sad I know that it hurt you very much. I know how it is to lose a cat or a dog. Every one feels your pain because every one lose something very preses.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Oh, my. I feel ambivelint. Sad because your fammily lost Shadow, and I loved your memories. Shado was a marvoless dog, she tougt, she was a sister, she was a daughter. And it would be losing her. (Awesome medaphores though)
October 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Wow my dog is 11.Oh and I really think it is sad that shadow died but he will always be kept in your heart.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Now I know how you feel. But it happens and like the book said an angel walks a dog back to earth to make sure every thing is okay at his/her home.And coming from me I am sure there are kids in dog heaven just like carie and cristopher.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:22 am
This story rimindid me me of my dog
duk.He was one of my favorit dog’s
but he die’d
in october 2 when I saw him
I cryed.I liked the story a lot