Shadow (2007.1.29 - 2018.5.16)
“Are you still thinking of getting another dog?”
“Yeah, but I haven’t started looking yet.”
“If you’re willing to get one soon, my wife’s cousin’s dog recently had an unplanned litter. But they might get big.”
“Big’s fine, what kind of dog?”
“Mixed. Black lab and Rottweiler.”
“Tell me more.”
That paraphrased conversation in March of 2007 led me to meeting and welcoming the last unspoken for puppy from an unexpected litter into my family.
I already had a dog. Little Loki. A puggle that joined me in May the year before. But I always wanted to have two dogs, so neither would be lonely when I was at work.
I didn’t want to go full Norse pantheon when naming the new bundle of fur, but I wanted the name to be related to Loki. Being a fan of a lot of Neil Gaiman’s work, I decided since Loki was in the book “American Gods,” that Shadow would be a mighty fine name.
He was weaned a little early I think. This caused a tendency for him to lick that he never fully grew out of and I was often the target of his focus. That or my pillows. A lot of pillow flipping was preceded by “eww.” Or Loki, but she seemed to enjoy the grooming.
He was so smart. While it took a few tries and treats to get Loki to figure out the nature of the doggy doors I installed in to and out of the garage, Shadow picked it up immediately. He loved using them to go out and chase squirrels or race along the fences with the neighbors’ dogs, sometimes joining in the cacophony of barking with his own deep throated “woofs.”
As he grew his tail became a weapon. Numerous friends can attest to the pain of having a waist tall dog in full excited wag turn away from you and give you a parting slap of the tail. He was big.
For ages he loved sleeping in the bed with me, much to the chagrin of a former lover. Shadow begrudgingly slept out in the living room on the couch or in the hallway near the door for the remainder of the relationship. When it was over he relished reclaiming his spot.
My yard is fenced in to allow for the doggy doors and the dogs’ free rein of the yard when I’m not home. But if the fence was ever left ajar he’d definitely head out and explore the neighborhood. One morning it happened I found him sleeping near the front steps because the gate wouldn’t swing inwards when it was open. Another I hopped in my car to go find him walking back down the street headed home after he heard me yelling his name.
A couple of years ago he developed a few small fatty lumps, these are common to both of his parents’ breeds. But recently the lumps started growing again, getting firmer, and causing him issues. He started walking a little slower, he started preferring a side to lay on, his legs would shake a little when he stood, and starting a couple days ago he didn’t feel like eating anymore. Not even Dairy Queen.
So today I said goodbye. His name may have been Shadow, but he was a light in my life.
I love you buddy and I’ll miss you. You were a good dog, great even.
