changing the guard....

dainerra

Crowing
9 Years
Jun 4, 2011
3,595
582
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For 9 1/2 years, I've had a shadow. Not like the normal dog person who says "my dog follows me everywhere" You see, I have a German Shepherd Dog. Since 8 weeks old, everywhere I go there is the pitter patter of little feet. If he can't follow me, he is waiting at the door for me to come out.
At 6 months old, Rayden earned his freedom at night. That first night I woke up to the sound of footsteps. Front door, back door, youngest daughter's bedroom, up the stairs to the eldest, back to my bedroom. Our lab would look at him like he was crazy.
So it went for 5 years until Freya came home. She never patrolled the house, that was Rayden's job. Front door, back door, both the kids, back to my side of the bed. If the neighbor's were being noisy across the street, he stayed in the hallway between the bedrooms - watching the front door.
Freya left us and eventually Singe came. Annoying little puppy; Rayden used to pick Singe up by the head and carry him to me and drop him on the floor at my feet when he got tired of the puppy antics.
And still every night, front door, back door, both the kids, back to my side of the bed.

When Singe earned his freedom at night, you could never guess where you might find him sleeping. And Rayden always at my side of the bed unless it was time for the patrol.
Front door, back door, both the kids, back to bed.

About 8 months ago I woke up suddenly. I listened and couldn't figure out what was different. Then a couple nights later it hit me. 2 sets of feet. Front door, back door, both the kids, back to bed. Singe started sleeping in the hallway. Every morning, he was there between the 2 bedrooms watching the door. This went on for a couple weeks, then Rayden continued his patrols alone.

For the last couple months, the patrols have been sporadic and finally stopped completely. Every noise was still investigated but there was no nightly walk. Rayden doesn't come to the bedroom anymore. He's more comfortable sleeping on the cool tiles by the front door. Singe still sleeping in the hallway.

A week ago, I stepped on a dog when I got out of bed. It was Singe. Everywhere I go, he is my shadow now. Every move I make, he jumps up to follow me. If he doesn't, Rayden gives him a nudge.

Last night I woke up. I could hear the jangle of Singe's tags through the house. Front door, back door, both the kids, back to my side of the bed.
 
I too had a shadow. He's been dead for over 40 years, but your post brought tears to my eyes. I have had many dogs. He was the best. My shadow unless my children were out and about. He knew that they needed him more than I did. I will never have another like him. Yes, he was a GSD.
 
the girls have never gone outside without an escort lol But he is a mama's boy through and through!
 
Sounds like Rayden has passed the torch!
Congrats on having such devoted guardians.

Come springtime, we will be getting a puppy to add to the family. Not sure what breed yet, we'll see what we can find when the time comes. I am guessing some kind of shepherd though. DH is looking into Belgian Malanois, German Shepherd and Anatolian shepherd breeders for now.
 

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