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Shadow
"Once in a while, a story comes out that gives one pause... even the most devout canine advocates may come away touched to the core." -Adrea Gibbs, Life With Dogs Meet Shadow. He's a little older and slower than he used to be, but he has a heart of gold, and he's a good dog. People always tell him so. He'll never hesitate to give your face a good licking, and there's no one he loves more than his human, Brian. Brian got a new puppy for Christmas though, leading him to abandon Shadow at the shelter he came from eleven years earlier. Shadow is devastated. Worse, the clock is winding down, even as a caring shelter worker helps him heal from the betrayal. Each day brings him closer to being euthanized in order to make more room at the shelter, and his fate rests in the hands of the very species that betrayed him—humans. Shadow’s story is the story of countless real-life dogs that end up in shelters every year. In an effort to help save them, 20% of royalties will go to Love & Second Chances all-breed dog rescue.
- GenresFiction
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2016
239 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 18, 2018
Please read. This spoiler is CRUICAL:
No stars. Only putting one star because of the rating system. Here are some reasons why:
-The messages of this book are important. However, it does not need to be this sad. This is the sad that makes sleeping hard( I alreadly have insomnia.)
-If your going through grief like me, especially dogs( or any pet) this book is like "pouring salt to an open wounds. "
-The author seems not to understand there is no time period on grief. Doggies ( yes my way of spelling) are not just dogs but your furry kids. All pets are our kids! This book also brings anger because it disrespect our furry kids.
No stars. Only putting one star because of the rating system. Here are some reasons why:
-The messages of this book are important. However, it does not need to be this sad. This is the sad that makes sleeping hard( I alreadly have insomnia.)
-If your going through grief like me, especially dogs( or any pet) this book is like "pouring salt to an open wounds. "
-The author seems not to understand there is no time period on grief. Doggies ( yes my way of spelling) are not just dogs but your furry kids. All pets are our kids! This book also brings anger because it disrespect our furry kids.
Read
January 26, 2019I spent the whole book crying my eyes out. Being a dog parent this was hard for me to read this. I can’t fucking understand how humans are this way. Dogs are family, they’re not a toy or even an object. They have feelings too. I spent the book wishing death on every human who have abandoned their animals. Harsh yeah and I don’t care but when a human doesn’t care about an animal that they’re supposed to love, that’s what they deserve.
I read this because I thought it would have a happy ending for shadow. Sadly it doesn’t.
Author needs to put a warning that this is sad story especially for dogs parents like myself.
In the end this sweet boy was put to sleep. Thinking that everyone he loved always said good bye to him, he felt betrayed by humans he loved.
I would never give away my baby. I would rather die than to be separated from him. And I can’t think the moment when time comes that I would have to say good bye to him. As I’m writing this review I’m bawling my eyes out.
I read this because I thought it would have a happy ending for shadow. Sadly it doesn’t.
Author needs to put a warning that this is sad story especially for dogs parents like myself.
In the end this sweet boy was put to sleep. Thinking that everyone he loved always said good bye to him, he felt betrayed by humans he loved.
I would never give away my baby. I would rather die than to be separated from him. And I can’t think the moment when time comes that I would have to say good bye to him. As I’m writing this review I’m bawling my eyes out.
February 22, 2018
Bittersweet story of an abandoned senior dog (Contains spoilers)
Even though the author avoids the maudlin, "Shadow" is the story of an eleven and one half year old dog that had been rescued from a shelter by Brian as a six month old puppy. The novel begins a few days after the Christmas for which Brian and his wife give a new puppy to their two young daughters. Brian returns Shadow to the same shelter many years later because the dog is "too old for my family." (Brians gets on to the "Do not permit to adopt" list.) Told from Shadow's perspective, the novel deals with his realization that he has been abandoned, and with his grief, loneliness, emptiness, and sense of betrayal. He decides never to love another human again, but a young employee at the shelter named Annie (who already has the limit of two dogs permitted by her landlady makes it her mission to bring Shadow back to life with as much attention as she can give him. Sadly, the shelter can only keep him for a year, and when no one takes Shadow to the home he desperately wants, he must be put down in one of the saddest scenes I have ever read. But Annie, his human, is at his side, showering him in his last moments, with all the love she can muster. And isn't that what dogs are for? Simply to be loved and to love with all their being in return?
I will now go cry over my own eight year old rescue mutt. I will die before I give her away.
Even though the author avoids the maudlin, "Shadow" is the story of an eleven and one half year old dog that had been rescued from a shelter by Brian as a six month old puppy. The novel begins a few days after the Christmas for which Brian and his wife give a new puppy to their two young daughters. Brian returns Shadow to the same shelter many years later because the dog is "too old for my family." (Brians gets on to the "Do not permit to adopt" list.) Told from Shadow's perspective, the novel deals with his realization that he has been abandoned, and with his grief, loneliness, emptiness, and sense of betrayal. He decides never to love another human again, but a young employee at the shelter named Annie (who already has the limit of two dogs permitted by her landlady makes it her mission to bring Shadow back to life with as much attention as she can give him. Sadly, the shelter can only keep him for a year, and when no one takes Shadow to the home he desperately wants, he must be put down in one of the saddest scenes I have ever read. But Annie, his human, is at his side, showering him in his last moments, with all the love she can muster. And isn't that what dogs are for? Simply to be loved and to love with all their being in return?
I will now go cry over my own eight year old rescue mutt. I will die before I give her away.
July 13, 2017
The last year in a dog's life
I just finished reading Shadow. I adopted an older dog with a bad leg. They said he had the triumvirate that results in euthenasia. Big black and injured. He is my best friend. This book highlights some of the problems getting adult dogs adopted. Volunteering at a shelter, Adopt don't Shop for dogs.
I just finished reading Shadow. I adopted an older dog with a bad leg. They said he had the triumvirate that results in euthenasia. Big black and injured. He is my best friend. This book highlights some of the problems getting adult dogs adopted. Volunteering at a shelter, Adopt don't Shop for dogs.
July 13, 2018
Heartbreaking. Must read story!
If you ever thought of getting a dog to love read this first. It will tear you up and make you reach out to nearest shelter. Every pet has a story to tell all they is person to love. This story broke my heart. A book I'll never or ever want to. Thank you for this remarkable and eye opening story of love
If you ever thought of getting a dog to love read this first. It will tear you up and make you reach out to nearest shelter. Every pet has a story to tell all they is person to love. This story broke my heart. A book I'll never or ever want to. Thank you for this remarkable and eye opening story of love
June 11, 2018
Eye opener
I don’t even know where to start. This book was so amazing. I’ve worked in dog rescue and adopted a senior dog years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I only had my Diamond for a few years but she loved me so much and I her. I still miss her everyday. I now have two giant rescues and can’t imagine how hard it will be when it’s their time to join my Diamond in the sky. I can relate to wanting to help all the dogs but unfortunately leases and landlords prevent that a lot. Shadow’s story touched me deeply and I want to thank the author for that, because maybe it will touch you as well. I sincerely hope that this book opens the eyes of people to know how rewarding it is to adopt a senior dog. A rescue is the best breed there is, after all ❤️
I don’t even know where to start. This book was so amazing. I’ve worked in dog rescue and adopted a senior dog years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I only had my Diamond for a few years but she loved me so much and I her. I still miss her everyday. I now have two giant rescues and can’t imagine how hard it will be when it’s their time to join my Diamond in the sky. I can relate to wanting to help all the dogs but unfortunately leases and landlords prevent that a lot. Shadow’s story touched me deeply and I want to thank the author for that, because maybe it will touch you as well. I sincerely hope that this book opens the eyes of people to know how rewarding it is to adopt a senior dog. A rescue is the best breed there is, after all ❤️
January 23, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how Shadow's thoughts were expressed. I found that to be fascinating, as it was just as I would expect the dog to react. Very insightful. I did not know how the book would end, and found myself sobbing as Shadow was being prepared for euthanasia. We have a 15-year old English Setter rescue who does not have too much quality time left. Each new day is a blessing. There were lessons to be learned about rescue dogs versus dogs who have been bred. The need for homes for these fabulous rescues is huge, and the rewards for owning them are beyond anything you could imagine. My only disappointment with this book is that the author has not written other books about dogs. My heart cries out for more to do with rescues.....?
September 14, 2017
To Love and Rescue to Love
I cried and cried. I loved and miss all my pets who have gone over the golden bridge, the last one, Fergus, just six months ago. He gave me great joy and love for his 14 and 3/4 years. And, yes, I am a healthier person as a vegan! Just a month and some days ago I adopted an 11 year old senior, and he thanked me by providing me honest love and affection. He is so very happy it makes me smile once again.
I would urge those who have lost their four-legged companion to dedicate that pets memory to saving a rescue animal. It is truly worthwhile and helps heal the heart and empty space a little.
I cried and cried. I loved and miss all my pets who have gone over the golden bridge, the last one, Fergus, just six months ago. He gave me great joy and love for his 14 and 3/4 years. And, yes, I am a healthier person as a vegan! Just a month and some days ago I adopted an 11 year old senior, and he thanked me by providing me honest love and affection. He is so very happy it makes me smile once again.
I would urge those who have lost their four-legged companion to dedicate that pets memory to saving a rescue animal. It is truly worthwhile and helps heal the heart and empty space a little.
October 26, 2017
I was hardly able to shake away my tears while reading this story about a shelter dog named Shadow.The author does a terrific job of putting the voice of a helpless dog into the narrative that flows very naturally and flawlessly. But mind you that this is not an anthropomorphic story of a cute dog, but a testimony of humanity against the forced death on shelter dogs - especially old, aging dogs - that have lost chances of being adopted. Shadow by Aris Austin has contextualized the awareness of animal rescues in our society.
January 3, 2018
Truth in fiction
We have two rescue dogs at our house. A miniature Shnouser and a pitbull mix. The pitbull was rescued from a dog fight ring and had lots of bites and tears all over him. That's how he got his name. It is Boo Boo! He is healthy and happy now. These two dogs and our cat love to chase each other and play fight. Shadow and all animals deserve loving forever homes. They are not disposable.
We have two rescue dogs at our house. A miniature Shnouser and a pitbull mix. The pitbull was rescued from a dog fight ring and had lots of bites and tears all over him. That's how he got his name. It is Boo Boo! He is healthy and happy now. These two dogs and our cat love to chase each other and play fight. Shadow and all animals deserve loving forever homes. They are not disposable.
June 2, 2017
This book really opened understanding of what an animal feels when they are no longer as swift and cute as they were when puppies. I cried all through the last few chapters. I know now that I will always choose a shelter dog, because I cannot stand the thought that this is happening to our older pets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2017
Excellent shelter dog story.
This is a well-written story, written in third person and from a shelter dog's point of view. The story hooked me from get-go. I've adopted all my cats and dogs from animal shelters. Each one of them have brought warmth and joy into my life. Shadow really came to life in the telling of his story. I highly recommend this book to adults and teens.
This is a well-written story, written in third person and from a shelter dog's point of view. The story hooked me from get-go. I've adopted all my cats and dogs from animal shelters. Each one of them have brought warmth and joy into my life. Shadow really came to life in the telling of his story. I highly recommend this book to adults and teens.
February 11, 2018
Heartbreaking
This book was clearly written with love. As the rescuer of only senior dogs, it certainly tells a much needed story. We rescue Newfies, and ALWAYS request the hardest to place, which invariably are the senior dogs. Loosing them is gut wrenching, but knowing their last year's are filled with love lightens the grief. Lovely book! Adopt a senior dog!
This book was clearly written with love. As the rescuer of only senior dogs, it certainly tells a much needed story. We rescue Newfies, and ALWAYS request the hardest to place, which invariably are the senior dogs. Loosing them is gut wrenching, but knowing their last year's are filled with love lightens the grief. Lovely book! Adopt a senior dog!
March 27, 2018
Read this beautiful story about a beautiful dog named Shadow
This novel was well written, and I enjoyed it. It's a story well worth your time. I love Shadow and someday I hope I'll find a Shadow of my very own.
This novel was well written, and I enjoyed it. It's a story well worth your time. I love Shadow and someday I hope I'll find a Shadow of my very own.
September 10, 2018
Finished the book 20 minutes ago and still crying.
Oh my! I read the book in bed with my rescue cuddled beside me. Actually she rescued me. It broke my heart. More people need to read something t like this to open their heart. Thank you
Oh my! I read the book in bed with my rescue cuddled beside me. Actually she rescued me. It broke my heart. More people need to read something t like this to open their heart. Thank you
February 6, 2017
It was an easy read but it made me cry!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
Need Kleenex to finish the story. Tells what happens to a senior dog who's family brings him to a shelter at 12 years of age, what the dog goes through and not knowing why.
March 3, 2018
Heartbreaking!
As a long time shelter volunteer I've seen this too many times. A happy ending would of been nice but not authentic.
As a long time shelter volunteer I've seen this too many times. A happy ending would of been nice but not authentic.
October 16, 2022
I started this book in 2019 and stalled out when I got annoyed by the way Shadow - the titular dog - was portrayed as having humanoid thoughts and behaviours. Don't get me wrong; I adored him and I understood what the author was aiming for in those moments. It just got grating to see the lack of effort placed into altering the way human minds work when depressed, scared, etc. - the lack of portraying a more doglike mentality.
A dog isn't going to worry about secrets in the same way humans do, for example. Or even understand what a secret is, probably. A dog won't completely understand what a human says. Nor will a dog be so sad they wallow in misery hoping to die like a depressed human might. And a dog certainly won't partake in the toxic masculinity of humans, afraid to be seen crying when upset. But these are things the author attributes to Shadow.
It was just way too much to keep my interest, though at the time I'd already purchased the book so I kept it sitting around on my Currently Reading shelf, waiting for a day when I finally made the choice whether to finish it or toss it into the DNF pile.
That day has come. And I regret that I didn't just chuck this book into the pile of unfinished literature.
And you know what? It's not even that I disliked the story as a whole. No, it's that the ending is extremely freakin' depressing and the overall narrative incredibly manipulative in a way that doesn't seem to care about the emotional impact animal death and semi-graphic depictions of the euthanasia process can have on readers who likely chose this book because they're already animal lovers. (No, I'm not marking that as a spoiler. There's a reason sites like 'does the dog die' exist!)
I loved Shadow, the senior dog who had a strong bond with the humans in his life - even those who absolutely didn't deserve him. I spent the entirety of this book rooting for him, eager to see the happy ending he had more than earned. I stupidly believed that this would be a tale of hope - a 'what happens when the dog is saved' story.
If I'd re-read the blurb, I may have picked up on the small hint it lays down that this isn't going to be a happy story. But maybe I wouldn't have. I mean... you can raise awareness without being that depressing, right? A near-miss with a last minute adoption would still make the same impact when the lead-up had been so anxious.
But no. Shadow doesn't get his happy ending. He gets murdered - oh, sorry, "put down" - because he isn't adopted within a year. And the way the narrative is written, it's only because a million contrived circumstances arise to get between him and an adoption. He bonds strongly with one of the shelter workers, but oh she already has two dogs and her landlord is strict about the two dog limit. He bonds with several people who consider adopting or fostering him, but oh every last one of them decides his friendliness and well-trained behaviour aren't good enough because he's old. He's almost placed with a man who likes him, but oh it turns out that guy is a domestic abuser who beats up Shadow's favourite human and she therefore can't in good conscience allow him to adopt Shadow since he might abuse animals as well.
Yes, seriously. Every possible contrivance exists to ruin Shadow's chances in a way which is incredibly unrealistic. And did we seriously need to add descriptions of domestic violence against a woman used solely to push a manipulative plot along? I mean, jeez, you're already killing the dog! Chill out on the potential trigger points, buddy.
Unless the real message of this book is that humans as a whole are a worthless stain upon the earth and even the good ones are ultimately meaningless where it counts most, I don't think it quite managed to portray the intended message.
And what makes it worse is that he's not just a dog, in the narrative style. The author constantly attributes distinctly human thoughts and behaviours to Shadow, making it even more difficult to detach from the empathic response to his fate. Not only is there this wonderful, loving dog being killed for no valid reason, but he has the thought patterns of a human. You can't just look away and try to reassure yourself that it's fine, he wouldn't have understood what was happening anyway.
No, the way this story is written, Shadow knows that something is wrong. He spends his last day hoping he makes the people who stand by and let this happen as happy as they made him while he was with them. Only to be cruelly killed, put down for not having been adopted.
And that's just how it ends. With a wonderful, loving dog being murdered. A dog who the author went out of their way to make readers feel close to during the story.
The final chapter goes into detail about the procedure, the way Shadow's come to trust these humans and doesn't feel nervous when he's placed on the table... Then, of course, the human he was closest to decides she has to 'be there with him' for it. So he dies in her arms. He trusts her, he loves her, he doesn't realize he's being killed while she holds him. No, he only worries about how she's crying and he wants to make her happy. He only worries about how much he loves her.
And then readers have to experience descriptions of how he fades away. But it's 'okay' because the human he likes most loves him, and all he wanted in life was to be loved. Now he's "going home" or some other euphemistic bullshit meant to soothe the consciences of humans in this position.
I feel sick. I feel disgusted. I feel pissed off that the author didn't give Shadow a happier ending. This wasn't at all necessary to make the point the author places at the ending:
The moral would've been the same with a simple wording change - 'if you would also save Shadow' - had he been rescued instead of killed. But no, they chose to show us a world wherein someone with a heart of gold who already has two rescue dogs can't adopt Shadow despite being "his person" and the one human he loves and trusts most. They chose to show us a world wherein literally nobody stepped up to help Shadow. A world where even the person who wants most to help him just plain can't.
I mean, come on! How bloody often does a senior dog almost get placed in a home, only to end up being taken away because the guy is a domestic abuser?!?! That's not part of the story of "countless real-life dogs." So then why does the 'being murdered for not being adopted within a year' part have to be true to life for those stories?
I dunno. I'm rambling. I'm upset. I feel manipulated. So, despite the sad eyes of the adorable dog on the cover of this book making me feel mean for it - and despite how much I liked the character of Shadow and his favourite human, Annie - I have to rate this book lowly.
And I have to go pet my dog a lot and give him extra treats to make up for the fact I couldn't manifest into the book's reality and save Shadow.
A dog isn't going to worry about secrets in the same way humans do, for example. Or even understand what a secret is, probably. A dog won't completely understand what a human says. Nor will a dog be so sad they wallow in misery hoping to die like a depressed human might. And a dog certainly won't partake in the toxic masculinity of humans, afraid to be seen crying when upset. But these are things the author attributes to Shadow.
It was just way too much to keep my interest, though at the time I'd already purchased the book so I kept it sitting around on my Currently Reading shelf, waiting for a day when I finally made the choice whether to finish it or toss it into the DNF pile.
That day has come. And I regret that I didn't just chuck this book into the pile of unfinished literature.
And you know what? It's not even that I disliked the story as a whole. No, it's that the ending is extremely freakin' depressing and the overall narrative incredibly manipulative in a way that doesn't seem to care about the emotional impact animal death and semi-graphic depictions of the euthanasia process can have on readers who likely chose this book because they're already animal lovers. (No, I'm not marking that as a spoiler. There's a reason sites like 'does the dog die' exist!)
I loved Shadow, the senior dog who had a strong bond with the humans in his life - even those who absolutely didn't deserve him. I spent the entirety of this book rooting for him, eager to see the happy ending he had more than earned. I stupidly believed that this would be a tale of hope - a 'what happens when the dog is saved' story.
If I'd re-read the blurb, I may have picked up on the small hint it lays down that this isn't going to be a happy story. But maybe I wouldn't have. I mean... you can raise awareness without being that depressing, right? A near-miss with a last minute adoption would still make the same impact when the lead-up had been so anxious.
But no. Shadow doesn't get his happy ending. He gets murdered - oh, sorry, "put down" - because he isn't adopted within a year. And the way the narrative is written, it's only because a million contrived circumstances arise to get between him and an adoption. He bonds strongly with one of the shelter workers, but oh she already has two dogs and her landlord is strict about the two dog limit. He bonds with several people who consider adopting or fostering him, but oh every last one of them decides his friendliness and well-trained behaviour aren't good enough because he's old. He's almost placed with a man who likes him, but oh it turns out that guy is a domestic abuser who beats up Shadow's favourite human and she therefore can't in good conscience allow him to adopt Shadow since he might abuse animals as well.
Yes, seriously. Every possible contrivance exists to ruin Shadow's chances in a way which is incredibly unrealistic. And did we seriously need to add descriptions of domestic violence against a woman used solely to push a manipulative plot along? I mean, jeez, you're already killing the dog! Chill out on the potential trigger points, buddy.
Unless the real message of this book is that humans as a whole are a worthless stain upon the earth and even the good ones are ultimately meaningless where it counts most, I don't think it quite managed to portray the intended message.
And what makes it worse is that he's not just a dog, in the narrative style. The author constantly attributes distinctly human thoughts and behaviours to Shadow, making it even more difficult to detach from the empathic response to his fate. Not only is there this wonderful, loving dog being killed for no valid reason, but he has the thought patterns of a human. You can't just look away and try to reassure yourself that it's fine, he wouldn't have understood what was happening anyway.
No, the way this story is written, Shadow knows that something is wrong. He spends his last day hoping he makes the people who stand by and let this happen as happy as they made him while he was with them. Only to be cruelly killed, put down for not having been adopted.
And that's just how it ends. With a wonderful, loving dog being murdered. A dog who the author went out of their way to make readers feel close to during the story.
The final chapter goes into detail about the procedure, the way Shadow's come to trust these humans and doesn't feel nervous when he's placed on the table... Then, of course, the human he was closest to decides she has to 'be there with him' for it. So he dies in her arms. He trusts her, he loves her, he doesn't realize he's being killed while she holds him. No, he only worries about how she's crying and he wants to make her happy. He only worries about how much he loves her.
And then readers have to experience descriptions of how he fades away. But it's 'okay' because the human he likes most loves him, and all he wanted in life was to be loved. Now he's "going home" or some other euphemistic bullshit meant to soothe the consciences of humans in this position.
I feel sick. I feel disgusted. I feel pissed off that the author didn't give Shadow a happier ending. This wasn't at all necessary to make the point the author places at the ending:
Millions of animals will be euthanized in shelters this year.
Some of them are waiting for new homes right now, just like Shadow. If you would have saved his life, please go save one of theirs.
The moral would've been the same with a simple wording change - 'if you would also save Shadow' - had he been rescued instead of killed. But no, they chose to show us a world wherein someone with a heart of gold who already has two rescue dogs can't adopt Shadow despite being "his person" and the one human he loves and trusts most. They chose to show us a world wherein literally nobody stepped up to help Shadow. A world where even the person who wants most to help him just plain can't.
I mean, come on! How bloody often does a senior dog almost get placed in a home, only to end up being taken away because the guy is a domestic abuser?!?! That's not part of the story of "countless real-life dogs." So then why does the 'being murdered for not being adopted within a year' part have to be true to life for those stories?
I dunno. I'm rambling. I'm upset. I feel manipulated. So, despite the sad eyes of the adorable dog on the cover of this book making me feel mean for it - and despite how much I liked the character of Shadow and his favourite human, Annie - I have to rate this book lowly.
And I have to go pet my dog a lot and give him extra treats to make up for the fact I couldn't manifest into the book's reality and save Shadow.
August 2, 2018
A REALISTIC AND HEARTBREAKING STORY.
This was a excellent story but also a story that will break your compassionate heart and make tears unstoppable.
This is a realistic story because I am also an Animal Activist and know all too well how older DOGS are turned into shelters or dropped off on a country road to fend for themselves because they are old. Their so called companions don't want to be stuck with an old dog even though this dog has been loyal, PLAYFUL, LOVING, obedient and maybe even a hearing dog. But now the dogs COMPANION wants a young pup.
Shelters have a harder time placing older DOGS but they shouldn't. Older DOGS are already trained, calm and make such loveable best friends. Also if an older person adopts an older shelter dog they won't have to worry if the dog will out live them. Older dogs make such LOVING companions.
This story really touched my heart and how the Authur wrote it as if the dog Shadow was telling the story.
I also am madly in LOVE with ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, DOMESTIC, WILD, FARM ANIMALS, JUNGLE, SEA LIFE, HORSES...YOU NAME IT I LOVE THEM.
Thank you Aris Austin for such a LOVING and EYE OPENING BOOK for ALL PEOPLE TO BE INSPIRED AND EDUCATED regarding OLDER ANIMALS.
This was a excellent story but also a story that will break your compassionate heart and make tears unstoppable.
This is a realistic story because I am also an Animal Activist and know all too well how older DOGS are turned into shelters or dropped off on a country road to fend for themselves because they are old. Their so called companions don't want to be stuck with an old dog even though this dog has been loyal, PLAYFUL, LOVING, obedient and maybe even a hearing dog. But now the dogs COMPANION wants a young pup.
Shelters have a harder time placing older DOGS but they shouldn't. Older DOGS are already trained, calm and make such loveable best friends. Also if an older person adopts an older shelter dog they won't have to worry if the dog will out live them. Older dogs make such LOVING companions.
This story really touched my heart and how the Authur wrote it as if the dog Shadow was telling the story.
I also am madly in LOVE with ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, DOMESTIC, WILD, FARM ANIMALS, JUNGLE, SEA LIFE, HORSES...YOU NAME IT I LOVE THEM.
Thank you Aris Austin for such a LOVING and EYE OPENING BOOK for ALL PEOPLE TO BE INSPIRED AND EDUCATED regarding OLDER ANIMALS.
September 11, 2018
I too have adopted a dog that was found alone and frightened after the flood in Alabama. Stella was brought to Palm harbor florida and we adopted her on Feb. 7th of this year. We love her to death. She is about two and is so smart. Like shadow I would like to know her story I talk to her and she understands. It is so heartbreaking what happened to shad ow. I want to adopt another older dog but we rent our home and like Annie can't have another. Your book was wonderful keep writing.
Great read I laughed and cried. Want to read more of your books I love how you tell what the dog is thinking and feeling.
Great read I laughed and cried. Want to read more of your books I love how you tell what the dog is thinking and feeling.
October 15, 2018
I gave this book 5 well-deserved stars. Is it Charles Dickens? No. Is it Graham Greene? No. But does it keep you involved every minute in an emotional way, trying to come up with the best answers about our own humanity and what makes us (or fails to make us) decent thinking human animals?
You betcha it does. Aria Austin writes believably in the voice of a dog going through changes, none of his own making. I think Ms. Austin spent most of her writing effort getting Shadow to be exactly the character we would want him to be.
No spoilers here. Get to know and love Shadow. You'll be very glad you did.
You betcha it does. Aria Austin writes believably in the voice of a dog going through changes, none of his own making. I think Ms. Austin spent most of her writing effort getting Shadow to be exactly the character we would want him to be.
No spoilers here. Get to know and love Shadow. You'll be very glad you did.
October 5, 2020
A Good Book
I read this book in one sitting, and although I wished for a better ending, the reality is that this happens to dogs all over the country every day. I swear if ever family would just adopt as many dogs as they can, the shelters would be able to stop killing these beautiful souls. If you ask me, Brian and his family are terrible people! Who adopts a dog and surrenders them when they get too old. Some people shouldn't be allowed to own pets!
I read this book in one sitting, and although I wished for a better ending, the reality is that this happens to dogs all over the country every day. I swear if ever family would just adopt as many dogs as they can, the shelters would be able to stop killing these beautiful souls. If you ask me, Brian and his family are terrible people! Who adopts a dog and surrenders them when they get too old. Some people shouldn't be allowed to own pets!
June 21, 2021
This is the first book I read by this author,but it won't be the last.If your an animal lover this book is a must read.This book made me mad as heck at Brian the owner of shadow. He was a loveable dog.Brian gets a new puppy and takes shadow to the same pound that he rescued him from eleven years ago.Shadow while there doesn't trust humans until he gets to know and trust Annie.I wished I could of given this book a million stars.
June 25, 2021
Wonderful!
What a wonderful book about my favorite animal! If this had been a true story and I knew about Shadow,I would like to believe that I would have adopted him on the spot. I have two older dogs, one is 12 the other 16. And then there is the 4 yr old! So I know about dogs. And as sad as I became at the end, I'm still so happy for Shadow who had such loving caregivers. Thanks for this gift of a story and I will pass it on.😇
What a wonderful book about my favorite animal! If this had been a true story and I knew about Shadow,I would like to believe that I would have adopted him on the spot. I have two older dogs, one is 12 the other 16. And then there is the 4 yr old! So I know about dogs. And as sad as I became at the end, I'm still so happy for Shadow who had such loving caregivers. Thanks for this gift of a story and I will pass it on.😇
October 1, 2018
Wonderful just doesn't cover it.
I have had a dog in my life since the age of 5,
And I have rarely been as impressed by an author.
You really know your dogs. And put into words the way I personally relate to them. I have had 3 shelter dogs and 1 found on the side of the road.
I loved Shadow and Echo. Keep on writing!
I have had a dog in my life since the age of 5,
And I have rarely been as impressed by an author.
You really know your dogs. And put into words the way I personally relate to them. I have had 3 shelter dogs and 1 found on the side of the road.
I loved Shadow and Echo. Keep on writing!
October 6, 2018
Impactful
Oh my gosh, I cried all the way through this! Such a sad but common story. All of our dogs are rescues and have been for many years, but it's a never-ending fight to find homes for the unloved and unwanted. I have a soft spot for the seniors, they are such good dogs. Read this and prepare to have your world rocked.
Oh my gosh, I cried all the way through this! Such a sad but common story. All of our dogs are rescues and have been for many years, but it's a never-ending fight to find homes for the unloved and unwanted. I have a soft spot for the seniors, they are such good dogs. Read this and prepare to have your world rocked.
January 10, 2019
A message for all animal lovers
A touching story with an impactful message. Pets are a wonderful loyal companion to people. Just like people they get older and get ailments. Unlike people that never changes their love of their human. Read the story of Shadow and remember two things. Rescue don't breed and once you choose its a lifetime commitment
A touching story with an impactful message. Pets are a wonderful loyal companion to people. Just like people they get older and get ailments. Unlike people that never changes their love of their human. Read the story of Shadow and remember two things. Rescue don't breed and once you choose its a lifetime commitment
March 1, 2019
Cried all the way through
Excellent story from a dog's point of view. It made me appreciate even more my 3 shelter dog's especially as we are all getting older. I worry about them without me and me without them. They were left alone once like Shadow. Do not want that to happen to them again, so I stay alive. They take care of me and I them.
Excellent story from a dog's point of view. It made me appreciate even more my 3 shelter dog's especially as we are all getting older. I worry about them without me and me without them. They were left alone once like Shadow. Do not want that to happen to them again, so I stay alive. They take care of me and I them.
May 2, 2019
My heart hurts for all the Shadows of the world
I wanted a happy ending, but this is the sad truth. I have an 11 and a half year old Dane that I wouldn't trade for the world. Love the young ones, love them through old age. Don't overlook the old ones, they still have so much love to give.
I wanted a happy ending, but this is the sad truth. I have an 11 and a half year old Dane that I wouldn't trade for the world. Love the young ones, love them through old age. Don't overlook the old ones, they still have so much love to give.
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