I've lost my shadow... (animals, puppy, free, how)

[Ghengis]

We first noticed Chance along the side of our rural dirt road and like many dogs, Chance seemed to make a point of looking into the car as if he was expecting to see someone he knew. My wife and I drove separately to work the next morning and she called and told me that when she saw him again and stopped to look for his tags he tried to get in the car with her. Being on the way to work and running late, she could not do anything for him at that time and told me how bad she felt in driving away and having him chase after her.

We both looked for him that night and again the next day when we drove to work separately but neither of us saw him and we hoped he made his way home. That night when I drove home, I slowed at the spot where we had noticed him previously. Up popped his head out of the deep grass and as I stopped and opened the door to get out he bounded over me into the front seat. My wife was in the driveway with a not-too-surprised look on her face and Chance sitting next to me like an unexpected guest for dinner.

We checked with all of the neighbors in the area and kept our eyes out for “Lost Dog” postings over the next several days. One of the neighbors said they saw abandoned dogs somewhat frequently in that area and suspected that the close proximity of a freeway rest stop may be a factor in the frequent sightings. He seemed to imply that the dogs were not so much runaways as abandonments.

We decided to keep Chance and he became the third member of our pack, joining a Golden rescue and a Rotty we had gotten as a puppy a couple years before. That pack eventually swelled to five as we added a German Shepherd and a very-scruffy, worn-out little poodle that we found in virtually the same spot as Chance two and three years after wards.

Chance immediately bonded closely with me. For the next fourteen years, Chance never left my side while I was at home. If I was watching TV, he laid behind my chair. If I was working in the den, he laid down at my feet. When we went to bed, Chance laid on my side of the bed. If I got up in the middle of the night, Chance would follow me back downstairs to watch TV at my side. If I was taking a bath he would barge his way in and lay down behind the tub. If I was in the yard he was nearby. If I was mowing, he would assume his position under the big Oak until I was done. Chance was at the door when I went to work and was there or on the deck to be the first to greet me when I got home. For fourteen years.

Yesterday we had to let go of Chance and although I miss him more than I could ever put into words, I wanted to let you all know what a good boy! he was.

[Arkie4Life]

I am sorry to hear about Chance. What an appropriate name! Sounds like Chance led a very good life and had a tremendous amount of love poured out to him. Also sounds like he let you know what you meant to him.

Thanks for your obvious love for animals!

[latetotheparty]

what a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your pal..... brought tears to my eyes....

so sorry for your loss.....

know that he had a good life and knew lots of love and happiness once he chose you..... would that we all could have that........

[Houston3]

You gave to each other... You were both lucky that you brought him home...

[bjh]

Sorry you lost your friend. Even through the fence you can see he was a good looking dude I bet allthe lady dogs loved him.

[elston]

Such a very sweet story......"Take a Chance on Me".....and you were repaid with love for all those years.....bitter sweet and teary!

[Summerz]

What a sweety...
My heart goes out to you. Sounds like you had some great times together. Will always be in your heart.

[GregW]

Losing pets is not a hard as losing people but it ain't easy. Sorry for your loss.

[elston]

I just shared Chance's story with my partner......now we are both in tears all over again.

[Ghengis]

Thanks to all for your kind thoughts and words, it helps.