Return to CheeseWhiz BBS on the web

July 4, 2008 about 10 PM, our granddog, Shadow, ran out the front door and in to the street. She's done it before and is very fast at getting past someone to run out the front door. Our DIL and 12 yo granddaughter went to look for her but she was nowhere to be seen. So they went back in. When she didn't come back by 11:00 PM, our DIL and granddaughter went out to look for her again, and found that she had been hit by a car one street over (which is a faster speed street). She was apparently hit while crossing by a teenager who is known for driving fast and texting while he's driving. To his credit, he stayed around and called the police etc. The photo above is the last photo taken of her before her death. I took it about 3 hours before she died. She was about 4 or 5 years old and had been a "rescued dog".

We think that Shadow was a mixture of border collie and black lab with the good attributes from both. She was a sweet family-oriented dog who endured any amount of "kid-handling" with the utmost of patience. She loved to play and get her chest scratched and go for walks. A smart dog, she was easy to train because she so wanted to please and she was hard to resist when she wanted something because she was such a sweet dog and tended to nudge you gently when she wanted something. I am told that this nudging is an attribute of border collies.

I feel bad because before we left from visiting them that night, Shadow really petitioned me for a walk and my hip was hurting a lot (arthritis) and it was late and I was tired, so didn't feel like walking. If I'd taken her for a walk, maybe she would not have run out. :(

This is another case when I missed out. Had I known it would be her last night of life (and worse yet, she might NOT have run out this time), would I have even thought about my hip hurting me?

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.