Shadow

Shadow

     For those of you old enough to remember, Shadow has been a fixture in our home.  Given to us at an early age, this Malinois mixed dog with great coloring and excellent obedience has blessed our house with gentleness.  Thriving on MilkBones, she routinely does her duty in the back yard without a hitch.  Graying around the muzzle now has limited her to long naps and low snoring about the living room furniture.

     I am writing this because she has become a part, and I hesitate in saying part, of our family.  One must realize that she is an animal.  She belongs to me.  I have final say in the number of her days.  As God has said, I am to be responsible for the “beasts” in my possession.

      There is a blurring now days.  When $100 to $1000’s of dollars are spent to dress these domesticated ones up or to surround them with luxuries.  Thus, they have become the apple of many person's eye and laws protecting their treatment have followed.  Somehow, we have lost sight of what they fundamentally are when we assign to them human characteristics capable of only those with a soul.

     Shadow is a dog.  She is a routine-based animal surviving on stimulus and response within her environment.  She is so well behaved because we have not surrounded her with the unexpected.  Neither have I abused her knowing that negative conditioning profits little.  She is not a person that I may reason with her.  I simply regard her needs and try not to put the animal in undue stress.  For this, I am a responsible pet owner, and it shows.

     If a dog’s spirit reflects the disposition of its master, then Shadow is my mirror.  Not easily aroused and given to relaxation, she gently honors those who come to the door by rising.  However, I do not lick the little ones in the face!

     Shadow’s time of life is drawing to a close.  It is then we must make a final decision.  Can she continue on with minimal pain lasting out the remainder of her days?  Or do we selfishly keep her existence because we are so emotionally attached to her presence?

     2015 South Nicollet Street is not a nursing home.  We retain the right to terminate our pet’s life is we so choose.  Sadly, some in irresponsibility tie back the hands of good stewardship by proclaiming the animal’s life is sacred.  Euthanasia is such an ugly word to them, but makes perfect sense to me if the situation warrants it.

     Shadow does not have a soul.  Created with a spirit, it will leave her body upon death.  God has given us charge over such things.  He has by his hand created and we must respect them.  However, He has also put them in our charge.  Animal husbandry is a high calling.  We are to regard them as great assets as with any resource He has given.