Shadow

2008 - 2023

Today was a hard day. We said our last goodbyes to Shadow, our 15 year old English Chocolate Lab. But she was so much more than that. First and foremost, she was my wife’s adopted little girl. Bred and raised with love and purpose from her inception - she was acquired to be a service dog for David, diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at 2 years old. He was 8 when we got her. Ben was 6. We picked her out of the litter and Noni went with us a few weeks later when we could pick her up. Emily raised her, along with her two human brothers, and helped train her as a service dog. She spent many hours with her while I was at work and the boys were at school. Shadow took great delight spending time with Emily outside, swimming in ponds, playing at Caroga Lake, and “stealing” food from Emily’s raised garden. She was a good and faithful companion to David and gave him so much love and support, which she received back from him fivefold. She was his best friend. Then there is Ben. Her true love! Inseparable. She loved playing and cuddling with Ben. She was the most playful and gentle soul I have ever had the privilege of knowing on earth. I will profoundly miss my walks in the field with her at Caroga Lake, camping in the Airstream, and late nights in our bonus room watching her drift asleep while I played Oblivion (she loved the music). And that is how she passed away today. She died peacefully with a smile. We will miss her terribly, but she lived a great life, loved her family and cousins and everyone she ever met, and it was time. After 15 years, her body was betraying her and she suffering. Now she will rest in peace until we meet again in the Kingdom. We look forward to that day very much and in the meantime cherish her memory and honor her life. We will view her cremation and receive her ashes on Saturday. We want to thank all of you for your love, prayers, and kind words and thoughts of support. We ask for your continued understanding as we may be “quiet” for a few weeks, as we deal with and process her loss. We love you all and we know that you will all miss her too. God bless. 🐶❤️🙏🏻

Mike & Em