Shadow went to heaven

It’s been a week since we had to have Shadow put to sleep. He was almost entirely blind, deaf, and was having difficulty getting up and down. Although, I never thought it would be, it was very clear that it was finally time.

That dog was difficult to live with – all the shedding, barking to go out or come in every 5 minutes, and mischief right up until the end. But I sure miss him. He was a good dog. I should have been a better caretaker.

Kids saying their farewells

Shadow came to live with us when I was 16. It was around Valentine’s and we were told he was almost one so we just decided that valentine’s day would be his unofficial birthday. Our neighbors, the Joneses, had rescued him from the neighbor of Mrs. Jones’ sister. His original owners couldn’t get him potty trained and frequently mistreated him. One day Mrs. Jones’ sister over heard the neighbor yelling and hitting Shadow and she offered to take the dog since they were always so frustrated with him. The owners gave Shadow to the sister but after his temper softened he came knocking asking for his dog back. The sister said no and the man was upset. The sister brought Shadow to the Jones’ house to avoid further contention with the owner and a possible dognapping. They were searching for a good home for him and I felt I was the answer. My parents didn’t agree. I begged and they refused for weeks. My mom slowly started to fall in love with him and after forcing me to make promises to care for him, walk him, and take him once I was on my own they agreed to let us keep him. I was ecstatic!

Shadow, unfortunately, wasn’t the easiest dog to live with. He frequently had accidents in the house during the first year. He was scared of brooms or any stick and would hide at times. So sad! He ate food off the table when our backs were turned. He barked. And he was a lot of work, and frankly, I didn’t keep up my end of the bargain. There were several times my mom almost got rid of him. Once she had him in the car and they were heading to the SPCA. I was sobbing and told her if she got rid of my dog that I would NEVER forgive her. Off they went. Back they came. I was so relieved! Thanks mom!

Once Shadow and I went to the Wiley’s house and unbeknownst to us he had an accident and poor Heather, faithful friend that she is, stepped in it! We felt so bad.

When we were newly weds Ben made me cupcakes for my birthday. I couldn’t figure out where Ben had left them as I was preparing to frost them. I looked in the over – no. I looked in the microwave – no. I looked in the fridge – no. I called Ben had work and he said he had left them on the counter. I called out, “Shadow?!?!?” He had the guilty look and went to his crate. He had eaten all 12 cupcakes including the wrappers!!! We never found a crumb.

Shadow and I had a bit of a falling out once kids starting appearing in our family. I didn’t want one more thing to take care of. So we began shared custody with my parents. They’d take him for a few months and then we would switch back. We loved him but no one wanted to live with him.

Sadie enjoyed Shadow the most and she cried the hardest when she said goodbye. Jax was just starting to like him. He would burst into tears whenever Shadow barked. FOR YEARS. Drove me crazy! McKay mostly liked to walk him on a leash and boss him around.

We shared many good times together.  He was a great dog. Most likely my last dog.  We miss the old man but I’m happy he’s at peace.