I have been a dog lover all my life. Before I adopted Shadow, I had only owned female dogs. I wouldn't even consider a male dog. I'm not sure why, maybe because I heard females were smarter or easier to train. I would soon learn that my thinking was very narrow-minded.

I met Shadow at a Petsmart adoption festival in Manasses, Va. His foster mom talked to an approved adopter on the phone earlier that week and told them Shadow a wonderful, sensitive "southern gentleman." The adopter was very interested and came to Petsmart to meet Shadow that afternoon. But there was a problem. Shadow is a blue dobe and he's hairless from his neck to the base of his trunk. A vet confirmed that, in Shadow's case, this condition had nothing to do with poor health - it's hereditary, like baldness in men. Anyway, when the potential adopter saw Shadow, he quickly changed his mind about adopting him. I felt so sorry for Shadow. So almost on an impulse, I offered to foster him for a few days (I was an approved foster for DAR&E). I know now that impulse was really fate.

Shadow stole my heart almost immediately. He slept on the floor right beside my bed the first night. Every sound of my voice made his nubby tail wiggle non-stop. He was smart, amazingly affectionate and very devoted. I adopted him two days after I brought him home.

There's something special about Shadow. Anyone who has deeply loved a dog knows the feeling. I felt pretty silly for having overlooked male dogs for so long. If I had insisted on a female, or a perfect looking dog, I would have missed out on the doggie love of my life. He's my BOY!!!

Shadow opened my eyes, and more importantly, my heart. We are having a great life together!!!

Michelle