Shadow was one of the truly beautiful souls. A gentle giant. Written words won’t ever do justice to his life and what he’s meant to me. I wish I was a poet so that I could illustrate how amazing his soul is.
Shadow came into my life because of Dusty, my yellow lab.
Dusty was diagnosed with PRA or progressive retinal atrophy – in short, his retinal cells were dying and he was going blind.
I had seen videos of blind dogs with their own seeing eye dogs and I decided that Dusty needed his own companion to help him navigate his life as a blind dog.
Dusty needed a gentle companion. One that would be tolerant in case Dusty stepped on him, or got close when he had a treasured treat. One that would be kind under all circumstances. I researched different breeds for hours and days on end and decided a Newfoundland would be the perfect companion for my precious boy Dusty.
I scoured the rescues and applied for dog after dog and either got no response or was rejected for one reason or another. As Dusty’s eyes continued to decline, I decided to buy a puppy from a breeder and the search was on for a good reliable breeder.
It was fate that I didn’t get a rescue dog, because I can’t imagine a better fit than Shadow, at least for me. I found a breeder in upper Michigan. She just had a liter and I described what I wanted, so I put my deposit down and was the proud new guardian of red boy from Raven. (red was the collar he had and Raven was his mother)
It was an 8 hour drive each way to the breeder. I went up two times to see the baby and meet the breeder to make sure it was a good choice. It’s easy to see from the pictures that I was already in love. Smitten from the first time I saw him and held him.
At 8 weeks old, it was time to take him home and introduce him to his new big brother. My mom took the long drive with me so that it was easier to care for him on the long drive back.
He got to meet my dad first.
Shadow and Dusty became great companions. Dusty was patient with Shadow’s puppy antics.
As all puppies do, he got into all sorts of trouble. Rolled in so much stinky stuff and was continually getting baths in the laundry room sink.
Shadow grew fast. One minute I could hold him and carry him and the next he was huge! He became the gentle companion that Dusty needed. If Shadow was chewing on a bone and Dusty stepped on him, Shadow would just look at him with an expression of “oh hi”.
Shadow loved to run and swim
and roll in the grass.
He loved the snow.
And he LOVED Christmas. He learned from an early age that sometimes presents under the Christmas tree were for him. He’d sniff the gifts out and if there weren’t any there for him, he’d throw himself on the ground and you could hear the “humpf” coming from him. But don’t feel bad, he ALWAYS got Christmas presents. I learned early on, I could only put them under the tree on Christmas morning when he was outside. He always knew…I’m not sure how…but he’d come in and run to the tree and he was so excited to get presents. Last Christmas, in our new house, I found him many times lying under the tree waiting for Santa to come and bring him his presents.
About 6 years ago, he started having a strange walk. He would hike his back leg up. I took him to the vet and after seeing a specialist, he was diagnosed with neuropathy. They thought he may have nerve sheath cancer. He started going to physical therapy at Tops Vet Rehab. At first it was twice a week. After he could no longer do the underwater treadmill, he started going one time per week. He loved the attention he got from the therapists and it’s because of the therapy that he lived as long as he did.
Over the course of his 13 years of life, he lived in 7 homes. He has had 6 “brothers and sisters” and has helped me through the passing of 4 of them (Dusty, Max, Spencer and Caesar). He is survived by Holly and Rocky.
Shadow was my rock and my companion for the darkest days (and nights) of my life. He was not only a gift for Dusty but a gift for me and everyone that came into contact with him. He attracted so much attention with his beautiful black tresses and his 155 pound size (at his prime). People would just smile when they saw him.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and my words are not flowing to describe his life in a way that demonstrates how amazing he was…so I hope the pictures show how much he was loved and how much love he gave. It was hard to pick just “a few” from the over 1000 images I have.
You are forever in my heart. Until we meet again my sweet boy. I love you.
Lisa,
I am wiping the tears off my cheeks. This was simply lovely.
Hugs ❤️
Thank you Mary. I know how much you love yours too! Praying for Probie.
Lisa,
I have tears rolling down my cheeks. This was simply lovely.
Hugs ❤️
You were so lucky to have found each other, God knew what he was doing bringing you two together. You gave him a wonderful life and he returned the favor to you. Love and think about you all the time.
Thank you Aunt Gail! We miss you guys and hoping one of these days we can come for a visit.
What a lovely tribute, we have had 5 dogs in 25 years and we miss them every day sorry for your loss
Thank you Diane. There is nothing like the love of a dog and nothing like the loss of a dog. Unfortunately we can not have one without the other.
My heart goes out to you Lisa, Shadow was so lucky to have you as his Mom. Your love, commitment, compassion, & dedication to Shadow and all your dogs is like none I have ever seen.
Sending you love & hugs!
Gina
Thank you so much Gina!
Thanks for sharing for a love story…
He is an amazing companion. 💕💕
Thank you Miroslava
I can’t stop crying S I’m reading this Lisa. You were matched with this gentle soul for a reason (as I always say, we have the dog(s) we deserve) and you have him ALL. I saw you when we were doing zoom classes.
I’m glad you had him since he was a puppy, he was loved and taken care of his entire life, and he gave you his boundless devotion that only dogs are capable of.
Hugs dear Lisa 💔
Thank you Dora.
Lisa this is a beautiful tribute. I too have tears running down my face.
He really was a special boy. Not mine, but he really was special to me too.
When we left LF last summer, I cried on the way to the airport.
I really did not think he would be around to enjoy Christmas in his new home, but your love and care gave him another year.
You two were so lucky to have found each other.
I didn’t think he would make it to the new house or for Christmas or for his birthday. He was such a good boy trying so hard in the end to be there for me. He touched so many lives with his gentle demeanor.
Lisa
What a beautiful tribute. I love the picture of Shadow airborne diving in the water and the picture of him framed by the snow flakes. He loved Christmas just like the rest of the family Waiting for his presents under the tree. What a love that will be missed but never forgotten ❤️
Thank you Maribeth. I appreciate your support!
OMG Lis, I’m crying for you and Shadow. He was TRULY the gentle giant and yes you hit the nail on the head when you look at him he makes you smile.
I always loved staying at your house to watch the pups and swimming with Shadow and Rocky was truly one of the best nights of my life!!!
I am so sorry and sending you and Shadow and Holly and Rocky big hugs ❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾
Thank you so much Laurie!
Lisa, so sorry for the loss of such a special soul. Your tribute is beautiful, and wonderfully expressive of Shadow’s worth and meaning in life, to life… and you!
Thank you susan
His soul was a reflection of you, as you are in all of the dogs you’ve owned. You are an amazing dog mom and it’s because of you he had such an incredible life, even when things weren’t at their best. You should be extremely proud of the love, life and experiences you provided him. As you know, not all dogs are as lucky to have someone to love and cherish them as you have and will continue to do so.
Thank you Brenda for the beautiful kind words. I know you feel the same about yours as I do about mine. I’m the lucky one to have had him in my life.