“I think you would like Shadow.”

When the owner of the Turtle Gardens Animal Shelter, the only no-kill shelter in the B.C. Northwest, suggested Shadow as an adoptee she couldn't have known what a good match she was making. I still don't know if the one-year old, black and tan Collie/German Shepherd cross was named for his colour or personality, but the name fits. Since the day he came home with me, a first time dog owner, he has been my constant companion while cycling, hiking, riding or driving horses, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing — he's there, always aware of where I am and what I'm doing.

The first time we went to the newly formed Canines North dog club people said “He's shy.” And I was feeling proud of him  because he was so bold, letting strangers reach out and pet him without breaking his down-stay.

It was obvious Shadow had been abused. For months after I got him a hand  extended over his head or any quick movement in his direction would send him  cringing across the room. A loud voice  still makes him worry. He is anxious to please, but can only tolerate two or three attempts at anything new before becoming flustered. But he's come such a long way and is still breaking new ground -  last week he was playing tag with the 12 year old neighbour boy, ducking and dodging across the lawn, feather-duster tail held high, eyes shining. Not an unusual sight for most dogs, but it was the first time Shadow has played confidently with someone he doesn't know well.

Friends who have experience with dogs tell me I've been lucky, that many abused dogs never become really confident and trustworthy. Ignorance probably played a large part in my decision to choose him, it seemed reasonable that time and care would erase his past. Because he is living in a one=person household and was so timid I was advised to make sure he was exposed to lots of other people, consequently he learned to walk on a leash on the main street of town and stay by waiting outside stores  (an advantage of living in a small town).

He's a gentle dog. Most people, including myself, call him a “she” when they first meet him. He has  a strong streak of what can only be called a mothering instinct. Hens, chicks and kittens are followed around with great curiosity and a neighbours foal is fascinating. At first  children, especially toddlers, scared him. My 9 year old neice became very good at saying “Shadow needs a rest,” when, after playing for a few minutes, he would slink under the table with ears and tail down. But now a friends 2 year old doesn't bother him when she waves her hands around and takes her toys out of his mouth. This  makes him useless as a watchdog, he's never been heard to bark at a person, the only indication someone is at the door is his  ears going up.

Canines North came along at a good time for us.  After  18 months together we are both ready for more socializing and new challenges. Agility should  provide opportunities for both and his mixed breeding is not a problem if we ever want to compete.

There are people who say “Don't get a dog from a shelter, you're only taking on somebody else's problems,” but the $20 I handed over that cold November day was the best money I ever spent.

I love Shadow.

A week after Shadow  died I found the above article.

He lived  with me for another 12 years, yet there is not a lot of importance to add to it. As in any partnership there were good times and bad, happiness and sadness.

Agility became my passion and Shadow,  my patient, deliberate dog, came along with me, earning his VATChC  (Veteran Agility Trial Champion of Canada ) title in the Agility Association of Canada and competing in the first National Championship  in Calgary in 2001. A wonderful travel companion, reliable and sensible, we waded in the ocean around Victoria, explored the beaches and forests of the Queen Charlotte Islands, the prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

He  became the “policeman” of Canines North, keeping order  among the other dogs, breaking up both boisterous play and signs of aggression. As new dogs entered the household he quietly maintained the status quo.  Sometimes people were nervous of this big black and tan dog with the measured gaze and deliberate movements, never cuddly, he tolerated handling by anyone but solicted attention from only a favoured few.

In 2002, at 10 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer, an aggressive malignant skin melanoma. The lump was removed from his gum but the prognosis was poor: 8 weeks to live without treatment, 7 to 8 months with chemotherapy and radiation, which would have meant travelling 1200 kms to a city clinic.

Expecting him to die, we went on a last road trip, a long anticipated 6 week journey from Smithers, B.C. to Boulder, Colorado. Together we wandered the back roads of Alberta and Montana, hiked in the Rockies and crossed the Continental Divide. Vegetables were added to his diet in organic, health-conscious Boulder. He came home in good health.

Shadow died as he lived: quietly, at home, with only myself and the other animals. Until two days before his death he followed me on our daily walks, the other dogs in front, Shadow and Riot, one of the cats, bringing up the rear. Stiff with arthritis in his hips and hard of hearing he continued to do what he did best, maintain a watchful eye over me and keep order in the household.

A wonderful first dog, I'll never know if he was named for his colour or his personality, but Shadow described him perfectly.

Thank you Yvette and Dave for keeping him safe at Turtle Gardens until we found each other.

Lorna

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.