One year ago today, we said goodbye to Shadow.
Shadow was five years old when he found us. Sean had wanted a husky since he was little. After one of his hospital procedures, we went to Build-A-Bear, and of course he built a husky. Years later, when he was away at college, he called me one night. A classmate had a dog who needed a new home. We took Shadow for a trial run over Thanksgiving break, and that was the end of that.
He came into my life right when I needed him. In 2016 my marriage ended, and the kids were off at college. I was alone in a big, empty house, trying to rebuild my life. Shadow gave me his paw when I needed a friend. Once I found out I could keep the house, he was right there for every project: painting, cleaning, and fixing all the broken things. He loved to hike with me. I even bought my first Jeep for him. He was scared to jump in with car doors open next to him, and the Jeep’s back hatch gave him all the room he needed.
He was a quirky boy. He’d nose open the sweet potato drawer and eat them raw. He loved carrots, and he did NOT like anyone touching his paws.
When I met Marty in 2020, Shadow had been my main squeeze for years. The first time Marty sat next to me on the sofa, Shadow jumped up next to him, growled a really mean growl, just inches from Marty’s face. Nobody was getting near his girl. 😂
Thirteen and a half years is a long time for a 110-pound malamute. At the end he was hurting. He couldn’t keep food down, and he couldn’t climb the deck steps anymore. He’d stand in the yard and wait for us to come get him. Letting him go was the last kind thing we could do for him. Sean and Marty were both there with me that day. Once he was gone, Ammy and Ghost came over and sniffed him, saying their own goodbyes.
Monday is our second anniversary, and Marty and I bought ourselves a 12-inch Stargazer skillet, handmade in the USA. Maybe that’s crazy, but it works for us. Cast iron gets better the more you use it, and it lasts for generations. Love is a lot like that! This Stargazer is the perfect addition to our cast iron set. It is a beautiful piece of art.
We’re getting stronger in other ways too. Marty and I keep lifting weights, and today we met at the Y on his lunch break. I’m down five pounds, and my abs don’t hurt after workouts anymore! LOL Here’s to losing 9 more…… we have gotten back on there keto wagon, too. With Marty’s diabetes, it is very important that we stay on track.
Love, loss, and strength all get seasoned over time. Just like a cast iron pan. Rest easy, Shadow. You were a very good boy.
Never stop exploring and never give up hope. Life is good.
