Shadow (AKA Shadowbox, Da Box, Da Buddy, Handsome, King of the Ottoman, Shadowbird, Shadowhawk, Shadowfox, Chief of Security, The Protector)

Shadow was such a special dog. He was ultra sensitive and in tune with everything going on, always watching and observing. When he looked into your eyes, it was a hypnotic event. In an instant, his intensity and depth would draw anyone in with a desire to hold him.

He was afraid of people after being rescued from an abusive and neglectful situation with a non-ethical breeder. He had a big booming voice and ‘talked’ at everyone that came near him or his sister. He always had something to say and wanted to know that you were hearing him. He wanted love so bad, but was afraid of letting people close, so he would bark continuously at guests, especially if they looked at him. “I’m here. I want you to know it. I want to be seen. But really don’t look at or come near me.“ Once guests ignored and looked away, he would sneak up behind them to get a sniff or a lick, on his terms. It took 8 years for him to let his dad approach him for love without cornering. It took over 10 years for him to warm up to being accepting of love from extended family, still with hesitation. He would mostly sit and observe intensely. And was amazingly fast on his feet, leaping sideways in a fear of strange physics, if you tried to sneak in a pet while giving him toys or treats. In the last two years, after his hearing loss, he was more willing to approach and receive affection unconditionally. His dad knew the most important work with him was DONE when he readily received his dad’s love on a daily basis.

He was super dog social. Both he and Luna attended daycare regularly and got extra playtime with all the troubled dogs. They loved to go for rides, and knew if we were turning on the streets toward daycare and would get so excited, spinning and dancing in the back of the car. In his last years, he enjoyed taking his mom and dad on evening walks. If everyone ate dinner a bit too late, he’d insistently remind us that it wasn’t yet time to relax, that he and his sister must have their walk.

While he was intensely sensitive, he was also super chill, not exhibiting any phobias beyond people, never messing in the house. He let Luna instigate the mischief, but readily went along with escape plans or major excavations for moles or playing Cirque de Soleil acrobatics on the furniture.

His most favorite thing to do was to sit and look out the window of the front of the house for hours, while Mom worked in the office. Both were attached to his Mom, but he was ‘the Protector’ in ways words can’t describe. He and Luna filled our hearts in ways unimaginable and have left us with so many memories. For this, we are grateful.