Animal lovers are going to know instantly what I’m feeling. Yesterday, I came home to find my husband standing near the door with our black lab/German Shephard’s collar in his hand. I froze. I knew he was taking her to the vet. I knew she was hurting from debilitating arthritis to her spine and right hip. She was also licking her legs and back nails to the point of leaving spots of blood on the floor in spite of wearing a cone on her head and horse-race like bandages on her legs. She also left mysterious blood spots from her chin that we could not for the life us figure out.
Twelve years old. How short is that time to do the wonderful good that our dog friends do for us? For Shannon, she was so gentle. So sweet. She snored and made us smile as she slept and cuddled close. She came to us after spending the first nine months of her life in a cage because she was black and placed in a back corner cage at the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Her cuteness just couldn’t be seen. She was off-kilter, with one ear up and one ear down.
Her name was initially Jackie. The name of my daughter. It caught my attention on the website. So did the lopsided-smile with the off-kilter ears. She had already been fostered out. The wonderful foster mom vet brought her over to have a trial visit with my dog, Bridget. Bridget loved her. They instantly took to each other. Now you have to know, that was a tall order. We had taken Bridget to the shelter and she had turned her face from several other really special and cute pups. But Shannon. She was instantly her buddy. Jackie, now known as Shannon, had found a friend and a furever home.
She was never any trouble this girl. No gnawing. No messing. Loved and preferred her crate. And loved Bridget.
Shannon
We already miss her snoring. Miss SunShine is looking for her. I know Bridget and she are running together again. Ruining gardens. Romping. And sleeping in exact configuration again. At least I hope so.