I just received the sad news that my sisters' old beloved dog, Shadow, has passed over. A mixed breed black lab, she was quite the character. She lived just down the street and would visit my place almost daily. A true chow hound, she never met an unattended bowl of cat food or garbage bag she didn't like. She'd make the rounds of the nearest neighbors, and collect her tribute of treats, get her ears scratched or a quick belly rub, then on to the next. Even later in life with her eyes clouded by cataracts that left her blind, she didn't miss a beat. It was funny how, when dog-sitting her, you could call her to come in before going to bed and she seemed not to hear. But could pinpoint the slightest rustle of a candy wrapper in any room of the house and come running for her share. And when she wasn't hustling food, she'd be exercising the cats by chasing them around the yard, I think the cats enjoyed the game as much as she. An elderly lady that lives a few doors away will be especially saddened at this news. She used to invite Shadow in her home, feed Shadow a few cookies while holding her on her lap on the couch, and watch the afternoon soaps. A more sociable dog I have not met. Looks like another melancholy Christmas.