You were a gorgeous animal. A saddle of black that blanketed your back, and darkened your brows… but you always smiled with your eyes.
When I was only 6, I remember seeing you in the back of the landlord’s pickup truck. “Who is that!” I wanted to know. “That’s my dog.” He drawled back, as you leapt out of the truck to come say hello to me.
I remember you so fondly. Walking with me in the darkness of the barn, to show me there was nothing to be afraid of. Sitting with me in the shade, soaking up the cool breeze on an otherwise hot spring day. Sprawling on my lap while we nibbled at nuts or mulberries from the trees… I remember your vigils, every season, every harvest… you walked back and forth, back and forth, behind the tractor, behind the plow, behind the harvester. Every single row, every single hour. Even in the blistering heat, even in the pouring rain. Your pawpads bled once.
Your dedication to your job was so great.
I don’t know what finally took your life- what I do know is that yours was a special kind of love. You taught me about big dogs, and about trust and loyalty. I hope that when it’s my time to cross the rainbow bridge too, that you’ll see fit to greet me there. I know you weren’t mine, but I hope to see your smiling eyes anyway, just one more time.
This tribute is for Shadow, a German Shepherd Dog who was as loyal and trusting as any dog ever was. Her end was brought about by the heartlessness of an owner who could not see her value- in a thunderstorm. She became frightened and tried to claw her way into the house. Because she ruined a screen door (the only such thing she’d ever done in her whole life), he took her to the pound. I can’t imagine what kind of human being would share his life with a dog, for more than 13 years… and then dump it over a screen door on a cold stormy night.
May your next life find you a better master,
| Shadow |
| Clem |