So Long Dear Shadow

[Groch]

Shadow and I were both crotchety old f_rts when we found each other in June 2006. He was my 1st and only dog, but I was not his first human.

Here's a link to my "Hi Folks" post in January 2007 that tells Shadow's story and shows his "Gulag" photo from his 1st week when adopted at 12, he weighed 9 pounds after 3 weeks in the shelter.

We quickly became best friends, often spending 2-3 hours every day on long walks in the Denver Suburbs. We both slowed down a bit since then. In his 17th year Shadow's kidney's and arthritis weighed on him, but we still walked every day til the end.

Shadow was always a "sidewalk explorer", not a mountain/wilderness dog. "What is it about lap dog you do not understand?" I could picture him asking.

But we set out on our walks every day ready for adventure and loved every minute. I Photoshop a bit, and the photo below illustrates our best times exploring (in our minds eyes).

5 years and lots of miles and licks later, Shadow left us this morning. His poor old body could no longer hold his spirit.

I deeply treasure our time together. He taught me a lot about being constantly positive, living for today, and what loyalty really means.

Goodbye dear friend.

 

[Moth]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Renee750il]

You've distilled the essence of your time together so beautifully, Groch.

Not "good-bye," just "see you later."

 

[puppydog]

Awww! Run free Shadow. I remember your first thread. He had a good last 5 years.

 

[poodlesmom]

I am so sorry!

 

[JessLough]

You give him that second chance at life that so many older dogs do not get. That is all a dog could hope for.

I agree, it is not a "good bye", but a "see you later".

 

[Barb04]

Run free with all our loved ones Shadow. Hugs.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

five years of time well spent--RIP Shadow.

 

[Lossalfling]

rip shadow, sounds like his last years where the best for you both.

 

[Groch]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I take comfort knowing that all of you have cherished canine family members; and most of you have been through this before, and survived.

I was too broken up to focus on Shadow in my 1st post...and instead talked about what we did together.

Shadow seemed to me to be an amazing and unique little guy, but he was my only dog, and maybe dogs all unique in there own ways.

He was a very quiet dog, both in terms of barking and temperament.

He was a very respectful dog, he loved to rip up his toys, but would NEVER touch anything that was not his. He never begged for food at the table. He would not even go to his bed each night unless he was invited first by me.

Most dogs seem to be voracious eaters, Shadow always picked at his food. He would seldom even take dog biscuits unless I made a game of it. He was amazing on a leash....not that he had a perfect heel, but that he never pulled, and usually walked respectfully behind me.

I taught him none of these things, he either was just that way, or was taught by his original owner.

He was not much of a cuddler...he enjoyed being petted, but would then go and curl up on his pad. He had a great celebration dance whenever I came home from an errand.

The first year he was a true velcro dog, I had to learn not to step backwards cause he'd be there. On the other hand, he very seldom gave kisses. I finally figure out that if I licked my own hand and wiped it on his muzzle, he would give me a couple of quick licks in return...."I love you too George, but don't make a scene out of it."

He had 1 TRICK! I have no idea if it came naturally or whether his previous owner taught him...but if you put a cookie on his nose, he would catch it right in the air.

Here's a video I made to document it: The Cookie Trick Challenge.wmv - YouTube

As I said earlier, our shared joy was walking. He had 2 speeds - Sniffing, and Migrating. In migrating mode he would trot, eyes straight ahead, and concentrate on the task...."Places to go...lets get moving George." I'm sure dogs get the same aerobic endorphins humans do.

And another short one I made that show his trot....I am certain he did not like the sweater I made him wear that day. The crash at the end is me falling on the ice while trying to shoot video walking backwards.

Shadow the Poodle in the Snow - YouTube

Finally, sharing another photoshop taken from our walk on a grey day last winter.

 

[Renee750il]

He had a determined gait, didn't he? And that cookie trick . . . quick little fella!