Happenings

This 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.