Shadows Run is named in honor of and is a tribute to, my beloved buddy and loving companion, Shadow. 

 
Shadow was a black lab mix and the sweetest friend anyone could ever hope to have. He was born around the 1st of June 1997. He was at this couples house who found him at the side of a road. My wife and I took him in and gave him a home and opened our hearts to him.

Shadow was such a sweet soul. He became our constant companion and spent many an hour with us as we worked on our websites or watched TV. While I worked on 3rd shift he was my daytime sleeping buddy. We spoiled him rotten to say the least.

Shadow was diagnosed in May of this year with lymphoma. At first it wasnt sure what he had. I just noticed him drinking a lot more water than normal. We took him to the Vet several times trying to determine what the matter was and had one of his lymph nodes removed for a biopsy after we noticed it was enlarged. Our worse fears were confirmed when we found out that lymphoma was what he had. 

The prognosis was not good and he was given 3 - 6 months to live. We decided not to pursue chemotherapy as this would make Shadow constantly lethargic and not feel like eating. We decided instead to put him on steroids as this would allow him to continue to live the type of life he was used to and to be as comfortable as possible. 

Shadow continued to live as he always had and had a great life up until the week of November 11th. He started getting weaker that week and not wanting to eat. He had to rest coming in from outside. I was out of town that week and got to come home a day early due to a change in my schedule. My wife had told Shadow I was coming home. She said he waited by the door for me. He had never done that before. Its like he was waiting for me to come home so he could see me one more time. I think the Lord made it possible for me to be home with my buddy so we could say goodbye to each other. We had to put Shadow to sleep the next day.  

I was able to hold my buddy and love on him and was able to kiss him as he went to sleep. I was thankful that I was able to be there with him and that the last thing he felt was my touch and the last thing he heard was my voice. 

Having to put Shadow to sleep broke my heart in two. He was my special buddy and I miss him more than words can describe. My wife and I had decided early on though that we would put Shadow to sleep once he was not able to live his life as he had been used to. His quality of life was very important to us. We would love to have our buddy home safe and sound, but it would have been selfish of us to make him suffer just so we could have more time with him in our lives.

We find comfort in knowing that Shadow is in heaven now with the Lord and with all the other special pets at the Rainbow Bridge. He is no longer sick and has been made well by the grace of God. We know that one day we will be reunited with our buddy in heaven.

We love you Shadow with all our hearts and souls, and we miss you so very much. One day we will be reunited again and we wont have to be apart anymore.

Until we meet in heaven buddy, Dad & Mom

If youd like to visit Shadows residency at the Rainbow Bridge please follow this link:
<http://www.rainbowsbridge.com/residents/Shado039/resident.HTM>

A plea:

There are literally millions of pets abandoned everyday. A lot of these end up run over by cars, starved to death, or put to sleep. I urge you to please if you can, open your hearts and homes to a homeless pet and rescue them from this fate. They will love you with all their hearts and only want a chance to be that special someone in your life. 

My wife and I went to the Animal Shelter and rescued a black lab mix female who we named Kassie. She was only 9 weeks old and weighed 6.1 pounds. She was just 6 weeks old when found abandoned in a field. Kassie is now just over 3 months old and weighs almost 13 pounds. She now has a home with plenty of food, toys, and love. 
 

Wont you please give an abandoned pet the same chance at life? They are waiting there for you to come and take them home. Theyll give you their hearts, all you have to do is give them yours.
