In honor of my big black dog

Did you see the article on CNN.com “Big Black Dog Syndrome leaves them homeless?” The article discusses many people’s fear of big black dogs. As a result, black dogs, regardless of size, are the most difficult shelter dogs to place. The article also mentions blackpearldogs.com a site dedicated to the cause of the black dog.

Fear of black dogs is something I am familiar with because, until recently, I had a (sort of big) black dog. It was not uncommon for people to cross the street when they saw him coming, but Sherman, a border collie lab mix, was the sweetest dog in the world.

Sherman was found wandering the streets of the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago by a co-worker. He was probably about a year old and was such a mess that she called him Grizzly. When I was first introduced to him, he smelled terrible, his fur was coarse, and he was very gangly and uncoordinated, with thin legs too long for his body. Not a very appealing prospect really. But, one look from his steadfast gaze and the pressure from his head leaning against my leg, and I was hooked.

Sherman had a gentle disposition. Sherman’s tail wagged like a metronome, steadily and rhythmically, while you petted him. He grew into his legs and was just the right height that his chin fit perfectly on your lap. He was just the right weight that when he put his head on my chest at night I could still breathe. He loved to chase the tennis ball, but wasn’t very good at giving it back. He loved walks and when we would stop to chat with the neighbors, he would lean his head against their leg -- this always resulted in getting his head petted. He would abandon me at the dog park because he always found someone who would throw the ball for him which he would chase unendingly until, oftentimes, his pads bled. He loved to swim and to fetch the ball in the lake.

Sherman was a truly great black dog. He was a steadfast and wonderful companion. We were together for more than 11 years. I miss him very much.