Goodbye Shadow 1

I just found out only a few hours ago that our family dog, Shadow, had to be put to sleep.

It’s amazing how much a pet can truly become a member of your family. A pet is always there for you, no matter what, and it’s amazing how they can seem to sense when you’re feeling down and need a pick-me-up.Shadow was never exactly what you would call a friendly dog. I’m not sure that a lot of Chows are. She was incredibly protective of our family and not always terribly kind to strangers, but she was our Shadow.She was a member of our family for just about 12 years.

I still remember coming home one night to find a little black bundle of fur complete with a red bow waiting in our old living room. Shadow made a move with us to our new home (and even got loose and ran around the neighborhood like a streak while we tried to track her down). Shadow helped scare a salesman or two away over the years, and even caused a little (unnecessary) concern for some of my friends. She sat in with me for my senior pictures.

She was the main topic in one of my speeches my first year of college.  It seems that she was there for lots of major moments in our lives, as a (usually) silent observer. Shadow hated the word CAT with a passion. She loved to bark at the deer in the side yard, even if they didn’t pay any attention to her. She was aloof, but friendly, and loved to be scratched. She’d just bump right into you if she felt like you weren’t paying enough attention to her.

I’ll miss the extra birthday cards that always came from “Shadow” (but miraculously had mom’s writing). I’ll miss the Christmas cards and presents too, but most of all I’ll just miss her.