My Shadow

The perfect name for every black Labrador puppy is Shadow. In the morning Cinder runs to greet me when she hears me awake from slumber. She waits behind the door as I bathe and she monitors my progress during breakfast, shaving, and dressing.

At night when only she and I are awake, she lies on my feet as I read or blog, follows me to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and escorts me as I put out the trash. My shadow, Cinder, follows me everywhere I go.

And I mean everywhere - can't even take a shower without a furry black head poking around the curtain to check on my whereabouts. We just returned from a walk and working in the yard, so she might have been a little thirsty too.

In addition to licking toes, Cinder has another little quirk. When exiting the house she will stop, extend her paws, and stretch on the threshold. Don't tell her, but it reminds me of a cat.


"In the world which we know, among the different and primitive geniuses that preside over the evolution of the several species, there exists not one, excepting that of the dog, that ever gave a thought to the presence of man." - Maurice Maeterlinck 'Our Friend, The Dog'