11/04/2025
Tonight, we said goodbye to one of my favorite buds, Raider. Of all the animals that have come through my doors in the last 10 years, Raider was the only dog that was chosen. In 2015, my sons wanted a pit bull puppy. When we got to the shelter, we walked past so many prospects. Raider was not enthused by a visitor to the shelter, and did not greet us at the gate like other pups. Our 1st walk around, he was hiding in the exterior run, peeking at us. Our 2nd pass, he was inside the interior run, but kept his distance. After about 8 walks around the loop, he got a little closer. The final pass, he licked my hand though the gate. We took him into the play area, and he literally could care less that we were there. It was like he just wanted to get out of the room. We ended up adopting this extremely shy 4 month old puppy. We brought him him, and he instantly became my dog. He was always curled up on the couch with me. As time went on, he would sleep in my bed, always watching the door. When he got cold, he would move closer to me, and at times pushed me off the bed. Raider was such a good dog. A little whimper and not the brave soul he thought he was, but I loved him none the less. He always protected the smaller dogs that came through, and tolerated the cats when they blocked his path. I hope he was met at the bridge by Diesel, Midnight, Buddy, Lady, Earl, and all the others that have crossed before him/. My heart is broken. but I am so thankful for the time I got to have with him. I will truly miss him. RUN FREE RAIDER!!!!!
