Thinking of Dogs

Don't know why, but for the past few days I've been thinking about family dogs that have passed. Guess I've been watching more Animal Planet lately...
Anyway, most of episodes have an evaluation of a dog's social skills before their adoption. I was reminded of my old Shadow dog:

Funny, I've looked and can't locate any pictures of him, but he was a big ol' lovable mix of black lab and ???. He was already a senior boy when we met and his teeth were very ground down in the front. The foster people said he had probably been left alone in a yard and chewed on rocks out of boredom.

We met at an adoption clinic at a PetSmart. The people in charge were trying to match me with a very rambunctious collie mix. I have stability issues and that wasn't happening! I was drawn to Shadow's pen because he looked so calm and intelligent. So I asked if I could take him out for a trial. You are encouraged to walk around the store with the dog and see if you bond. He was very happy to be out the pen and responded to my commands very well.
He was tugging at my heart and I was seriously considering him as a new family member, when an incident just around the corner settled the issue for both of us! We started down another isle and suddenly a young girl about 8 or 9 appeared. She obviously had Down's Syndrome and was very happy! She saw Shadow, dropped to the floor directly in his face, grabbed both of his ears and shouted, "Doggie!"
Now remember, I didn't know this dog at all! I had no idea if he was familiar with or liked children! (And that was a consideration for me as our granddaughters were both little ones.) I had visions of a bite to the face or worse; I was even thinking, "Well, he's not mine and I'm not responsible, and..."
Shadow immediately sat down and looked up at me for a response. When I said, "Okay," he reached out his big ol' tongue and gave her a kiss! The little girl giggled with glee and they visited for a few minutes until her mommy caught up with her. She apologized if her daughter had been "bothering us." I told her she actually had made it final that Shadow was going home with me! I didn't really explain (didn't want mommy to have a heart attack) but I knew this was MY dog!
Shadow lived with us for quite a few years and was a sweet addition to our family! He loved Amanda, protected Emily and loved to travel. He enjoyed the pool and would come to the steps and help me gain my feet to exit. The girls at the Starbucks shop loved him and would fill a cup with whipped cream just for Shadow whenever we came by. We made his last years comfortable and he gave us all the love and loyalty he had.

It's true, dogs really do leave pawprints on your heart! Miss you, Shadow!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥