It came out from the "Shadow"

What a well behaved dog!

Last night I finished dinner and went out to the balcony to get a breath of fresh air. Not something that I get to do very often, but it was important as my wife was watching one of those mundane weepy, nonsensical, plight filled Soap operas.

So while I was getting some fresh air I caught a glimpse of something very interesting. It was a joyous sight that I had been wanting to see for a long time and God had finally heard my pleas and decided to give into them. Finally!

So I ran to the main door and yelled out excitedly to my wife that I was stepping out for a bit without an explanation. She promptly dropped the TV remote and was beside me in a flash. Seeing the excited look and spring in my step she wondered what happened. (Maybe she thought that I had seen a PYT downstairs from one of the other apartment blocks and was off to “BUMP” into her accidentally). She immediately demanded an explanation as to what had got me so excited but I refused to divulge the details.

As the lift started it’s descent to the ground floor of our building the situation dawned on her. The twinkle in my eye and the spring in my step had nothing to do with another woman. In fact, I think that she read my mind and asked – “Saw the doggie? And now you want to play with him?”

I nodded excitedly.

The sight that had got me so excited was this beautiful, black Labrador retriever that lives in one of the other blocks in the apartment complex. I had seen him around the complex earlier and he looked like a very well behaved dog walking around the pool with his leash in his mouth without gnawing on the leash or growling at those around him. He just obediently followed his master or mistress wagging his tail in merriment as he went along.

Now I had wanted to stop and play with him everytime I saw him but was unable to do so as I was always in a rush to get to some place. Now when I saw his owner with him walking into the apartment complex after his nightly stroll, I decided to run down and make sure that I got a chance to play with him.

When the lift stopped on the ground floor, I half walked half ran towards the pool to see that the Dog was walking away from us and moving towards the other side. So I ran (followed by my wife) in the opposite direction so that we would meet on the other side of the complex. I just hoped that he did not enter one of the other apartment blocks before we reached him or I would miss the opportunity to play with him.

As luck would have it I saw them walking towards us and got even more excited. Then I calmed myself down so that I wouldn’t scare the owner or more importantly the Dog. As we reached them, I perked up and asked the owner if he wouldn’t mind us petting and cuddling his dog.

And he was OK with it. More importantly, Shadow (that was his name) just stopped right there and let me pet him.

Shadow - the Beautiful Black Labrador Retriever Doggie just stood their and decided that he would let me get on my knees and scratch his ears and cuddle him and pet him. And I kept repeating over & over again – “Good Boy! Good Shadow!” hoping that he would stay just like that for a really long time.

I then struck up a conversation with his owner wanting to as to how this friendly creature was and also so well behaved even with complete strangers. So when I commented on how well behaved his beloved pet was he shared the secrets of his nurturing and caring upbringing with us. Shadow walked for a good 12 – 15 kilometers a day, had a separate room with a bed & load of toys and was groomed regularly. Now all this attention & grooming translated into him being an adorable creature who was friendly to everyone around and well behaved at all times.

Throughout this conversation, Shadow just sat there and continued to let us pet him. He even gave me a handshake without me even asking for one. I also got to know the block and apartment number that Shadow shared with his master. I then asked for permission to visit and play with him from time to time. The owner was more than happy to let us into his house anytime we felt like playing with Shadow.

So I am now looking forward to seeing Shadow again and playing with him.

In fact this is the second well behaved doggie that I have come across in the recent past. The earlier one was a handsome and muscular Irish Setter that stays behind my uncle’s house. He too was polite, well behaved, well groomed and a beautiful specimen.

The next encounter is likely to be with a bunch of rambunctious St. Bernard puppies that are about a month old. Hhmm! That should be fun! Will keep u guys updated about it.