Shadow

I've been watching our gift from God beginning the process I've known will come, ever since the veterinarian told us about the tumor.. He's lying there quietly, looking at me with those loving brown eyes. He's tired, my dear old friend. Tired of the pills, tired of the ups and downs, I'm sure. He's not in pain. If he has pain, I'd go anywhere to spare him. But as I look at him now, Shadow is just closing up like a flower does at dusk. It's a part of his life and our life.

I'll miss him so. I'll miss him standing beside my love in the morning as I leave for work, saying in his own way, "see you later Da". I'll miss his joy and demands for attention when I would come home each day after work. His buddy paw. His joy in receiving his apple bits, or grapes. When he and I would go for walks, he'd be so excited as I'd prepare, and I'd relish the moment. There's a Hebrew word for our Shadow. The word is "Mitzvah" - good fortune.

Shadow came into our lives as a pretty sad little six month old at our city shelter. Someone had left him there, and he looked so sad. But my sweet angel of a wife knew he was the one. In the "getting acquainted area" he'd bound about making the funniest little happy growling sounds. We later came to call that his little bear noise - my little sugar bear. He captured our hearts. Even when he tore up the moldings and carpet in our basement rec room. Even when I said I'd take him back, I knew in my heart that we'd overcome the frustration with love. We did, and he gave us 11 more years of love in return, our beautiful black Labrador. Our "labador treever".

Shadow, I'm writing this letter to you, to thank you for your love, which never came with a price tag. It was given freely and without questions or reservations. Too bad we humans can't learn to love unconditionally. We should look at gentle souls like yours, truly God's embodiments of love, to learn of selfless love.

You will be a part of me all my life, my dear friend. I hope you can save a place for me in the good place you're going. God take you gently and lovingly, when you time comes. I'll be there as you close your eyes. Enjoy your new pastures and don't eat too many apples.

Da

Shadow was at gentle peace at 3:30 am on Sunday morning, August 22nd , 1999