Shadow and Treasure

A friend of ours, Yuri Gorbachev,(You might know Yuri's work - he is the artist that among other things painted the Stoli's Christmas gift boxes) was so intrigued with Shadow that he painted our wolf and gave us this painting for a Christmas gift one year. It was a very dear thing to do and I thank him for the touching gift.

The relationship between the wolf and the Shar-Pei developed over the years and they were very good friends. Once when Shadow was recovering from surgery, Treasure would carry food and water (by the mouth fulls to the wolf.)

One of Shadow's favorite things to eat was dried apricots. She loved them. Treasure would come and get the bag out of the pantry and carry the bag to Shadow. Treasure would eat apricots but she could take them or leave them while Shadow would do just about anything she could to have them.

So whenever we would go to Price Club (yes, that long ago!), apricots were always on the list. After all, what's the good of having a wolf without the ability to spoil them just a little. (Wouldn't you agree?)

I told you before, that when Treasure had her two litters that Shadow became the second Mom to the group. Let me let you about how that came about Treasure was an excellent Mother - cleaning the pups, providing milk and warmth on demand, and puppies demand a lot as you know.

Part of the 'price' of having Treasure was to allow Mother to breed her to her stud. After Treasure was two years old and had been x-rayed to check her hips, with the approval of the OFA board who read and passes judgement on the suitability of the bone structure of registered pure bred dogs, Treasure was bred to the dog in waiting. Sure enough, two months nearly to the day of the breeding, the first litter was born. My grandson was there so it was a very exciting time for all.

Treasure sailed through the experience seemingly without difficulty or trauma. "We" had five beautiful pups - 2 males and 3 females, all healthy and hungry! So we left Treasure and pups in the room in which we had set up the raised bed for Mother and pups. The other dogs would come to the door and look in, but Treasure made sure that they knew they were not welcomed at that time to see the pups.

This went on for a while. These pups grew like crazy and were as cute as wee puppies can be. Treasure rarely left the puppy bed, as we called it, only to go out side and to eat. Then at three weeks, the pups had teeth - lots of them. Within a few days of being bitten over and over again,Treasure 'said' enough of this. She got up, left the bed, got Shadow and did not get back into the bed again. So the pups who had been loved and snugged with by their Mom were suddenly without - and in stepped the wolf.

Shadow was more than equal to the task. She took over the pups - and as we now had to feed them (baby cereal and goats' milk), Shadow, cleaned them from nose to stern after every feeding and all the times in-between. Now Shar-Pei pups are amazing - sometime before they were four weeks old, we took them outside on the grass. Once their feet touched the grass, they were house-broken! - No more messes in the puppy room.

Cody spent nearly every waking minute with the pups. She taught them how to run and tumble - how to 'take-down' each other. (I really would not have wanted to have to fight off one of Treasure/Shadow's puppies as an adult  dog.) You may know that the Shar-Pei is known as the Chinese fighting dog. They are loyal and protective of the family. They are a great protector of children and all those they consider family. So between Treasure, their breeding and Shadow, they made outstanding family dogs, after they were finished showing of course.

One of the most endearing things that happened with the pups, was that after they were weaned and no longer attached Treasure for milk. The two adult animals would play with the little ones. One of the games that they played was keep away. The two adults would throw a piece of lamap's skin back and forth while the little ones would try and chase it down. Shadow would start the game by shaking the lamb's skin at the little ones and then running away from them. They, of course, would give chase and the game from on.

Well, the pups grew up and most when on to other homes. I kept the first male born.But this is a Shadow and Treasure's story. They went through one more litter of pups with much the same structure - three weeks in, Treasure stepped out and Shadow walked in. this time we were prepared.

The two friends grew old together with many adventures. Let me just say it was an honor to have known them and to have shared the time we had. In the end, they died a week apart, Shadow first and I know that Treasure died of a broken heart. So they are romping and running away, waiting for us to join them and all of our other four legged friends, which will be many years from now.

American citizen Russian born artist, Yuri Gorbachev is well know for his unique style of painting. His works can be found in the many of the major museums around the world and in private collections. If you are ever in a place where you can see one of his shows, do so. You will not be disappointed. Or go to http://www.yurigorbachev.com to see for your self.