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Shadow: 8 year old mixed breed

Shadow is a great example of the healthy, smart, loving dog you can find at your local animal shelter. Our daughter and her family adopted this skinny, bouncy, happy one year-old dog from the Animal Rescue League, where she had come in as a stray. Our Granddaughter named her Shadow, after a song from her favorite TV show. Five years later when they were moving, Shadow needed a new home - and what a coincidence- just at the time we needed a new dog!

We quickly found that Shadow lives up to her name, wherever we go, Shadow is right behind us. Since she had already lived with cats, she was quite happy moving in our two resident felines, though it's safe to say the cats did not see it the same way from the start!

Shadow is proof that you can teach an old dog, new tricks. She was 6 years old when she came to live with us and began her first obedience training, Level 1 with Awesome Dawgs. We continued with Level 2 and Level 3 classes, within 9 months she had passed her Canine Good Citizen test, and a year later she earned her Therapy Dog International certification. We regularly visit elder care facilities where Shadow shares her 'happy dog' cheer with the appreciative residents.

She is a very smart dog, she loves to learn and she loves to please. More accurately, what she really loves is the treats that she knows will reward her correct responses! We have thoroughly enjoyed training her, which has been mostly about us learning how to show her what we want. In addition to basic obedience and good manners, she knows how to shake both paws, give her belly for rubs, roll over, sit up, touch object on command, do the 'Army Crawl', and jump through a hoop.

As with many adopted dogs, identifying her breed was a guessing game until we happened to read an article about the Karelian Bear Dog. Further research showed them to be uncommon in the East, but she definitely exhibits that breed's appearance (see photo) and characteristics, and we believe that is her background. Despite the unknown story of her heritage and start in life, what we do know is she is a wonderful dog who brings happiness to all who know her, and who loves being a part of our family 'pack' as much as we love having her.

Interesting facts about shadow

• She is a very sweet natured, loving dog. She loves people, dogs, and she ESPECIALLY loves kids.
• Despite her mature age of 8, she is still excitable and fairly high energy by nature; yet she shows an instinctive gentleness around timid children and the frail elderly that we visit in nursing homes.
• Her favorite toys are squeaky ball and floppy Frisbee. When we are finished playing outside, 'bring your toys in' prompts her to go find and bring them in, dropping them at the door.
• Her favorite thing to do is ride in the car. Who can blame her, with common fun destinations like a hike in the woods, therapy visits, pet stores, playing with doggie friends at Awesome Dawg park, or dog class at public venues including Cabellas, Rdg Phillies, the malls, Home Depot etc.
• She likes to lay with her hind legs stretched out frog-leg style
• She rarely barks but she does have some Scooby Doo type language when she is happy, wants attention, or wants (her one obsession) FOOD!! If she had her way around food, her current girlish figure would resemble a coffee table!