The story of Zoe and Shadow
Rescued by Jan Haney

When I read about an old girl that was supposedly 16 years old and on her way to dog heaven, cause her owners were moving and wouldnt take her, I about had a fit. So before I thought about it I said I would take her if they could get her to Sacramento. Wow. Then I thought about it. Then I read the list again and found out there were 2 girls. One that was about 7 and the 16 year old. And I already had 2 dogs, 1 of which was extremely alpha. Plus I hadnt even asked my husband, and he is pretty positive he doesnt want any more dogs for awhile. Well, I had already said I would take them so it would be a fight to the finish. To my surprise when I explained the situation to him, he said we would take them. Bouvier people are amazing. Mikel picked them up, dropped them off at the vets then on to the kennel to be boarded until the next day. Then she drove them up to Fresno and left them with Michelle, who kept them in her kennel until Saturday, when Kate, Steinway's mom, drove from the bay area to Fresno to pick them up. We drove to Sacramento and met Kate at the mall and picked them up. I will never forget the old girl, her name was Shadow. She was so sweet. She was old, she was very feeble, she was very confused. But thru it all she was sweet. She had the kindest eyes. Her little stubbie tail just kept wagging. I pretty much cried all the way home. I just dont understand how people can turn their backs on their pets when it doesnt suit them to take care of them. It was my understanding that they were moving back to Atlanta Georgia and didnt have room for them in the U-Haul truck. I dont understand, nor will I ever understand. When we got them home we had already bought them new beds and some pillows. We have a smallish house so it was kind of let them in one at a time and see how it went with my very alpha male, Jack. Shadow fell in love with Jack, Zoe, the 7 year old, wanted nothing to do with him. I spent all day Sunday grooming and brushing and just in general trying to get better acquainted. Monday I went to work and left my husband in charge. He let nature take its course and soon they were getting along quite well. Zoe still just tolerated Jack, but they had quit quarrling. Shadow always greeted me at the door with her little stubby tail wagging and those sweet eyes sparkling. She was extremely wobbly in her hind in but she would attempt to play and just fall over. It was cute but very sad. She so wanted to be a puppy again. The following Saturday, Shadow became anxious and started to pace. At 6:30, she became incontenant and I called my vet. He said to give her another hour or so and then call him back. Around 8ish, she lost her bowels, I knew then we had a major problem. I sat with her and loved her and she still would wag that little stubby tail, but her eyes were not so bright. By 11, it was obvious it was time, so we went to the emergency vets office and sent her to dog heaven. She was one of the nicest dogs I have ever been around, and as I am typing this I am crying. She really grabbed me for being with me so short a time. I truly loved her. But at least she is out of pain and hopefully her little stubby tail is wagging and she is doing the bouv bounce. So now, we are left with Zoe, Mick really took a liking to her, she goes every where with him in the car and she sticks to him like velcro. She really is attached to him. This is a good thing, his little dog, the yorkie, is very old and probably wont last much longer, I hate to think how that will affect our family as Louie was a yorkie rescue too. Zoe is very alpha but for some reason Jack likes her and they do play together as much as two fat dogs can play. Zoe went to Petsmart and we went shopping for her. She got a new Hot Pink collar and new water and food dishes. She isnt interested in toys. I was surprised that Zoe didnt seem to miss Shadow much. I didnt let Zoe see us take Shadow in the car, so perhaps that is why. Would I do this again???? I dont know. The heart ache, and I mean an actual physical pain in my chest, hurts a lot. The tears, the boxes of kleenex. (grin) I dont know. I have seen other rescues on this list and it never occured to me to do a rescue, I dont know why I did these 2. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet Shadow, she was so sweet. I think Zoe is going to help my husband when Louie crosses over the rainbow bridge, so I guess God in all his wisdom showed me what to do. I guess if I ever read about something that tears at my heart then I will volunteer again.