Shadow

A thirty pound puppy at twelve weeks old
“Pick of the litter”, we were told
Two new dishes and a leash to go with the collar
For you, what was another dollar?
With the big feet and ears you had
You were so awkward it was almost sad
It wasn’t long before six months had passed
You grew so big, so fast
A new polar fleece blanket on the bed
Meant a new place to rest your head
A “ride” to you meant so much fun
New people, new places and a new place to run
One day you became ill
Little we knew- you loved taking pills!
One year went by- we thought you needed a puppy pal
A four month old St. Bernard we’ll bring home; Yes we shall
Together, you played and raced in the yard
Just to come inside for a drink after playing so hard
You loved to be brushed, but even more
You loved when I vacuumed the floor
With a nudge and sometimes even a push, it was your turn
I vacuumed you before to the floor I could return
A surprise tongue lashing across the face
Or a watchful eye could put someone in their place
The words you knew- not just the usual commands
You knew them all- on demand
A pretty puppy and so alert
Yet one of your favorites- to roll in the dirt
One soft puppy snore Grew larger-
one could rattle a floor
A Big Dog we had found
We knew when you reached one hundred fifty pounds
In your mouth or under your head- socks we would find
No holes- just your way of keeping us close when you stayed behind
A neck rub and then a puppy hug
Soon found you sleeping, again, on the rug
An occasional bone or carrot was a treat
For a doggie so sweet
A big head and even bigger heart
You showed, to us all, a loyalty that would not depart
Then one day you were very sick
All over the carpet- nothing but ick
I left you alone thinking you weren’t feeling well
Over the next days the worry did swell
Four and a half years was not a life too long
When you went to the vet, we wondered what was wrong
Tests were started and when completed
We knew your blood was depleted
Another dog, Harley, donated a transfusion
We all thought this would end the confusion
As we waited for you to get better, you caught flies
So quick for a dog with your health and size
We fell to our knees with the shock of the call
Our "gentle giant" had taken a final fall
You were gone all too soon
For everyone- one afternoon
As we laid you to rest
I cried and knew you were one of the very best
“I’ll see you later”, I said to you
As the pain in my heart, ten times grew
For some, you would have been just a pet to the end
But to me, you were my best friend
In Heaven, I know you will wait
I will be so happy when I reach that gate
Together again we will be
Forever-- you’ll see


written By Teresa two days after Shadow's passing

Shadow’s favorite location to visit became my parents’ home. Not yet six months old, she discovered flowers. Amongst the many varieties, Shadow loved purple ones. We never knew if it was the color or the fragrance. We guessed it must have been the color because she went from one to another sniffing each in turn. Using the same variety of flower, though different in color, she would choose the purple ones. This probably should have been a clue to us she could distinguish colors, but we didn’t pay much attention to it at the time.

As we waited in anticipation for the pizza delivery person to ring the door bell, we suddenly heard the distinctive ding-dong. Shadow immediately sprang to her feet and jumped at the window where she frantically stood on back legs incessantly barking. I sat in stunned disbelief as Shadow nearly launched herself through the window. Our gentle giant appeared to be possessed by an instant evil spirit. With each thump and scraping of dog nails upon the window, I quickly reached her, grabbed her collar and began attempting to pull her away from the window. Away, she remained barking, but slightly calmed down. I questioned why so aggressively had she acted in such a manner. In the next few minutes the answer was revealed. The delivery person had been sporting blue hair.  Here was the proof I needed that Shadow did, indeed, see colors.