Midnight lived a good life once he became a part of our family. We never knew about his circumstances leading up to his going to the pound and then being plucked by the amazing Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue folks, where we found him thanks to their website.
It's always said people chose dogs that are like themselves. It was so with Midnight. My husband and Midnight were just alike. Our kids always said, "if Dad was a dog, he'd be Midnight!"
It took me awhile to fall in love with Midnight. I'd always been used to dogs with sleeker mussels and I didn't know how to deal with all that jowl! Funny, that turned out to be Midnight's softest spot and I'd love to brush his big cheeks and tell him I loved him.
Another unique thing about Midnight (could be all Shar-Pei for all I know), he told me he loved me by grunting! I'd hold his face and kiss him, and he'd grunt. I'd give him a hug and he'd grunt. I called him my piggie!
One thing I always scolded him about was how he would shake off my kisses! Oh yes, he would! Right after I kissed him -- and he'd tolerate the affection, grunting back at me -- he'd shake it off!
Midnight was a great protector! Several times my son's friends would get rambunctious and appear to be threatening my son, and without a sound, that dog would appear and take hold of the offender, never breaking skin, but holding firm until the threat abated. No bark, no noise, just pure action! Wow! I always felt completely safe having Midnight around the house.
In the end, which came quickly, Midnight slowed down and last Monday had difficulty walking. We took him to the vet on Tuesday and learned he had an abdominal tumor that was bleeding. There was nothing to be done. I'm glad he didn't truly suffer.
It's hard to say goodbye to a family member like Midnight. This past week has been very hard getting used to him not waiting at the door when I came home and now he's not sitting at my feet as I work on the computer. Tonight, I took my first walk alone.
It's not good. but just our new reality to get used to...
God bless you, Midnight and thank you for everything!
Midnight
Born - Unknown
Died - June 5, 2012
