Seven-up! All is quiet. This is the first maintenance Sunday of the season. We shut down production at seven this morning, the night crew went home to grab a nap and will return at one this afternoon to begin doing all the scheduled maintenance, making adjustments and checking equipment which cannot be checked while running. At seven this evening the crew that has been on days will come in and begin their reign as night crew for the next fourteen days.

My day guys aren't happy but I am flipping my shifts as well. I have one worker who has never worked anything but days and he is wanting to die off! I told him this was going to be an educational experience. Actually, truth be known, the reason he is going to nights is because he is the only one on that shift that speaks English.

Yesterday was a long and emotional day. We took Shadow in to a vet for evaluation. I told Krl as we drove that after I carry Shadow in or out of the trailer I couldn't get the smell off my hands. We began to think kidney failure on our way into town. Brief history, we had Shadow's uncle, Sadat 1. We purchased Sadat 1 in 1988 from a breeder in Wylie, Texas. He was a real charmer, smart, disciplined, a real gift. About the time Sadat 1 reached four and a half years of age, he became ill and eventually he was diagnosed with renal failure. He was very young to lose. Prior to losing Sadat 1, Makai and I made the trip back to Wylie and bought Shadow. He was just a pup. His registered name is actually Sadat's Shadow, reflecting his following his Uncle in lineage. My first encounter with Shadow revealed a rambunctious, energetic pup sliding sideways as he raced through the home of the dog breeder as he excitedly sprinkled the floors, contributing to his "out of control" broadside slides. We received a profile evaluation with Shadow which told us of his character. Above average intelligence, very loyal, and extremely headstrong. The one thing they missed was "enormous heart".

I carried Shadow into the examination room, for two days he had been unable to walk. Yesterday he wasn't capable of standing. It was almost as if he had lost control of his legs. The vet evaluated him, said his heart was strong, but it appeared that he suffered from renal failure and that his body was consuming the protein from his muscles. The prognosis was not good. A few days, a few hours, no one knew.

Shadow had been so embarrassed being immobile. He detested being carried outside and steadied while he looked around or took care of business. He had refused to eat for the last three days and all of his intake came from Krl feeding him "Smarties" candy and giving him Sprite with a syringe. While he had made the decision to check out, his Momma wasn't letting him go easy.

Yesterday morning, just before eleven, after Krl and I made the joint decision. In a small room the vet administered an injection, Krl and myself were present along with a vet's assistant. Shadow quickly went to a peaceful sleep as his Momma stroked his head and I watched as he slowly relaxed and life left his body. After an extended period, we left the room and exited the building to wait for Shadow's body. Once we had him in the vehicle we began the drive south to the compound.

When we arrived at the trailer and everything was settled down, I left in my pickup to find Shadow's permanent resting spot. My first thought was just beyond center field at the community baseball field just down the road. I made a big circle across CR 150 to CR 125 to Paymaster road to 2401. Finally I drove in a pasture a friend owns and has been developing. There I found a blue water stock tank, probably three or four acres in size. They have began to build picnic facilities, there was a swimming dock and the shore had 'tubes that had grounded themselves. In a few more years, when trees have established themselves, this is going to be a small oasis. I selected a site on the side of a small hill over-looking the recreational facility and Roy and I dug a grave and buried Shadow where he will permanently be watching over all those who come here. I took Krl to see and she was pleased with my selection and relieved that Shad was finally out of pain and at rest.

Last evening Krl began laughing. She asked me if I knew how flattered I should be that Shadow loved me so much. One of Shadow''s rituals was to give my feet a tongue bath. It did not matter how "smelly" my feet were (and they could be bad, especially if I was wearing sandals), Shad would work tirelessly to clean them. He would only quit when I made him because it tickled too much! We laughed about Shadow's leather fetish. Nothing was safe if it was leather, the best evidence of this was when Shadow had a thirst for the word and ate Krl's Bible. I don't think we will ever have it rebound because it is so special now. He was a good mate, and a very good Dad to his offspring. Shadow may have very well been "the" Jesus hound.

Shadow is survived by his Momma and Dad, two natural daughters, Lady Rachel and Prissy, and an adoptive daughter, Brandy. All of us survivors are indebted to Shad for his Love and unabiding loyalty. He was preceded in death by his Uncle Sadat 1, his mate Duchess, and a son Sadat 2. Two sons, Lancelot and PeeWee are believed to survive him and live in the Abilene area. He will be missed, but we are grateful we were blessed with knowing him.

Krl and I are drained.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, fill us with YOUR goodness. I pray for healing and renewal for Krl and me. I pray for safety for Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, Brenda, K.C., and Tyler. I lift these up for YOUR healing and care. I pray for those sad and heavy hearted with grief. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle as we follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. I pray for Jenavene and Susan. I know that my redeemer lives!