(previously known as Shadow)
I'll never forget the first time my husband and I visited Shadow at her foster home. She was very friendly and so lovely I remember telling my husband I'd take her away that day if we could. Shadow was too cute, and jumped on the sofa where we sat. She lay behind us with her front legs raised, waiting for a belly rub. As time went on we learned just how much she loved her tummy rubs!
We brought Shadow home after the second visit, and soon settled into a routine. We changed her name to Lupa, and she responded well to the change. It wasn't unusual to see her smiling, and she was always happy to see familiar faces. Lupa enjoyed going to the beach, and lying out the back garden in the sun. She travelled well in the car which we took advantage of, taking her away for weekends, and to Skye in January 2013. Little did we know that would be the last holiday we would have with her. Lupa met the dogs living in the cottage next to us in Skye, and caused mischief when we went to Fairy Glen. When we packed up the car to leave Skye and come home, I'll never forget coming out the cottage and catching her in the drivers seat of the car. What a sight!
Sadly, not long after having her she was diagnosed with CDRM. We later learned from the vet she was suffering from arthritis too. She was an older girl, but very full of life and had plenty of energy. We adjusted her exercise regime accordingly and carried on. However, after a period of reasonable stability, it wasn't long before her physical health started to deteriorate.
As things deteriorated, we stopped Lupa from coming upstairs in the house, frightened she would fall downstairs with her bad leg when no one was home.
My husband and I took it in turns to sleep in the living room with her at night towards the end.
After another visit to the vet, we had to make the difficult decision of how to proceed. It was a tough decision, but in the end decided it was kinder to let Lupa go. In the end she was disabled by the CDRM, and in pain with the arthritis. She was medicated morning and night, and could no longer go out walks.
The summer weather that year was good, and Lupa spent many days lying out in the sun. We sort of moved out with her, as at times she took to taking herself away from people, lying outside on her own. This was unusual for her. I didn't like the thought of her laying outside alone, so would go out with her. Family, friends and neighbours visited her, and she was never happier than being around people she knew and loved. Lupa was such a lovely girl.
We arranged for the vet to come to the house to 'do the deed', and spent our last evening with her watching a film. She seemed okay, but her leg was twitching a lot, a sign the condition had progressed.
The vet came the following day, and it was the hardest thing ever. We made her last days as pleasurable as possible, giving her lots of nice things to eat.
We started to readjust to life without her, but it was by no means easy.
Although we only had her a short space of time, about 1.5 years, she brought such joy and pleasure. We like to think of her as having had her retirement with us.
Her anniversary is coming up on 17th July, and it's difficult to believe it's almost a year since we lost her. We miss her every day, and she truly was a wonderful dog.
In January this year, we got another shepherd from the rescue named Harley. It's been so nice having a furry friend around the house again.
We love him as we did Lupa, but Lupa is never far from our thoughts. Harley has his own traits which we love, and he makes us laugh and smile with his antics.
Miss you Lupa
From Us All xx
Sadly Shadow's owner was terminally ill and he had to give her up. She got a lovely new home and a lovely new name. Lupa loved to travel and loved visiting the caravan. She was a lovely dog with a lovely nature and will be very missed.