Comments on: Casting a Long Shadow – A Pet Adoption Story

By: Christine Michaels

Christine Michaels — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:36:23 +0000

What a beautiful story and equally special dog. Adopting older dogs is just as uplifting as taking home a puppy and teaches us many lessons. We need more people like you! Bless your family for all your efforts. Congratulations also on runnerup for the contest.

By: Adopting Beelzebub: A Beast of a Bird?

Adopting Beelzebub: A Beast of a Bird? — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:05:14 +0000

[…] to AnimalKind, Inc. Congratulations to Pamela Douglas Webster for her runner-up entry “Casting a Long Shadow – A Pet Adoption Story,” and to Robin Craft too, grand prize winner for “Oswald, The Cat Who Made Me A […]

By: Aleksandra

Aleksandra — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:19:25 +0000

This is such beautiful writing. I love that you can write like this, but save these memorable, earth-stopping, poignant posts for every now and then. I just don’t think my heart could take so much beauty on a daily basis.
Thank you for sharing this story.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:23:37 +0000

Oh, wow, what a bittersweet story. I’ve never lost a pet in anywhere near that short a time, and I can’t imagine how hard it would be to make the decisions you were faced with. I’m so glad, however, that you can look back on the experience with such insight and fondness (and that you were able to move on and share those lessons with another dog). How lucky was Shadow to find you!

By: Laurel Hunt

Laurel Hunt — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:16:07 +0000

Beautiful story! So often older dogs are passed over in the shelter, but they turn out to be such a joy. I have a similar story of a springer we adopted at age 8 – and I admit much reluctance on my part due to her age. Three years later she developed lung cancer, which had spread to the lymph nodes before it was diagnosed. Dixie was terrified of the vet’s office so we decided not to treat it aggressively. The vet removed the affected lung lobe and gave her nutraceutical treatments. She lived for about six months, and I treasure the memories of our slow walks around the neighborhood. Now, she lives in a quiet corner of my heart.
Laurel, celebrating the love of dogs at http://laurelhuntbooks.com
Bark Wag Love

By: Pup Fan

Pup Fan — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:46:48 +0000

Such beautiful and touching post. I tend to think that it’s a very selfless act to decide not to put your dog through painful surgery that might then prolong her life but greatly reduce its quality. It’s so hard to accept a life coming to an end, and it sounds like you helped Shadow meet hers with grace, dignity, and an overwhelming amount of love.

By: 24 Paws of Love

24 Paws of Love — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:52:56 +0000

What a beautiful girl. And I love the miracle that happened for you to find each other. And I love that you kept her, despite that she pulled. 🙂
Great story.
Good Luck!

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 22:44:21 +0000

What a beautiful story – I’m sure that you were meant for each other 🙂
Sometimes it feels so hard to make those tough decisions, but it’s so nice when things turn out better than they could have – I’m certain that she had a wonderful 2 years with you!!

By: melF

melF — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:30:55 +0000

In reply to Kristine. So agree Kristine. I hope they do too.

By: melF

melF — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:30:22 +0000

Oh Pamela. This post so resonated with me. Shadow sounds like an amazing girl. How wonderful that she got to experience all the things that she did before she had to say goodbye. I love the picture of her and your husband in the boat. If that is not pure joy on her face than I don’t know what it is. I could not have removed her jaw either. While she was alive, she lived. That seems like a much better alternative.

I don’t regret getting my Aspen at age 9 either. And, even though I only had her a year, I treasure each and every day. I am comforted in knowing I gave her a quality life of love, long walks and lots of spoiling. 🙂