dogs, dying, Family, life, love, Pets, Uncategorized

Sadie

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If an animal can have a kind soul, it’s Sadie. She just has a sensitive spirit!

She’s a Porky, half Pomeranian, half Yorky.  Even as an adult dog, she’s permanent puppy size.  If she’s ever weighed more than 4 pounds, it’s only because her hair was wet!

Her little fox face and big, dark eyes give her the appearance of a harmless, nocturnal creature.

She quickly picks up on feelings, and well knows the regulars to our house.  She also knows children love to hold her like a baby doll, so she’s developed an adept ability to hide.

Yet when someone new comes over, she studies them a while before jumping in the chair beside them just to make the acquaintance. After a time or two of visiting though, she’s content to just sit on her blanket and watch from a distance.

Sadie’s 15 years old now, and it may sound strange to say, but when she was 6 years old she was traumatized.  My wife, Janet, let Sadie and her sister out early one morning.  A minute later, Janet heard an odd, chilling scream, one that sounded like a woman screaming just outside her back door.

Janet ran outside. On the other side of the driveway, a black panther was running away toward the woods with Sadie’s sister in its mouth.

Janet was scared. Sadie was terrified.IMG_0322 (1)

Sadie had always been a bit skittish, but the incident made a life-long impact.  Sadie became a nervous wreck.  The vet even prescribed anti-anxiety medication for a long time just to keep from trembling in fear.

From then on, she always moved gingerly, cautiously, UNLESS she heard the rattle of a cellophane food bag!  Then, she’d burst onto the scene like a mighty little wolf to scavenge for scraps! And anytime anyone cooks or eats in the kitchen, Sadie’s all over it!

She’s like a living vacuum cleaner, snatching scraps, spills or morsels of food that hit the floor.  She particular loves babies in the high chair.  She’ll patiently wait for whatever the child obliges her with as the tasty morsels fall.

I’ve known Sadie since she was ten years old.  She’s always been sweet, gentle and consistent.

And since she was a puppy, Sadie’s been through the ringer with Janet.  For instance, Sadie was there with Janet when her first husband, a really good man, was dying of cancer.  Sadie was there throughout the rainy days afterwards, during the five years after he passed away.

When Janet and I met a little over five years ago, she jumped up beside, made sure I was safe, and just stared at me from then on.

Sadie was there to meet new grandchildren, new friends, and even explore a new house after Janet and I were married four and a half years ago.

In every way, she’s a quiet, non-assuming friend, loved by all around her.

IMG_2931
Whose eyes are bigger?

Sadie’s been having accidents over the last months, even waking up at all hours of the night to go outside.  She’s walked into walls from failing eyesight, is having trouble hearing, and sometimes tumbles to the floor because she can’t make the leap onto the couch like she used to.

It got worse.  Last week, we put Sadie to sleep.

I don’t remember crying over loosing a pet before, but Sadie wasn’t really a pet. She was a kind soul, peaceful spirit, and as odd it sounds, just seemed to understand. Plus, I knew it caused Janet great pain, and that made me hurt.

On a cold blustery night, we made a little wooden box and buried tiny Sadie under an oak tree on the back of our land. We planted yellow daffodils on her spot that will return year after year.

Sadie

It’s hard to categorize the things that move us the most. It’s different for a lot of folks.

One thing I’ve noticed though is that people, and in this case, a perpetual puppy, who have goodness, innocence, even purity, at the core of their being, they just seem to endear themselves.

Maybe that’s because some of the most precious things in life are also the most rare.

Goodness matters, and now, goodness is missed.

Sleep well, little girl. Sleep well.

43 thoughts on “Sadie”

  5. Oh Jeff, I’m so sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful tribute to Sadie. Our pets really do become family members and it’s so hard to lose them. I hope you and Janet can take comfort in knowing that Sadie knew she was loved, and that you gave her a great life. Blessings to you both.

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  6. Never an easy decision. So glad Janet had Sadie and that you embraced her as part of Janet’s heart. Today, a friend on social media asked, “When you arrive in heaven, what do you want God to say?” My instant thought was, “Here’s Miss B. She’s been waiting for you.” God bless Janet and you and your family.

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  7. Our dogs have always been a part of our family. Each of them is missed for their own selves. We mourn them and remember their undying love and loyalty. They are truly God’s creatures. Sadie is safely over the rainbow bridge and enjoying treats.

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  9. I am so sorry you have lost this dear little dog. We know it well having said goodbye to three mini- schnauzers over the years the last one being April 2019. But we have got a new one now and she is a charmer. I send you all sympathy and compassion from us here.

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  10. That’s the sad part about having pets. Their life span isn’t nearly long enough. I still get a little teary when I think of the rescue cat we had to have euthanized when she got old and sick. I didn’t realize how much I cared about her until she was gone.

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  11. A very nice tribute to Sadie, Jeff. She looks like she was a sweet little dog. They really do become part of the family and I know how hard it is to lose them. My thoughts are with you and your family. Des

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  13. So much love. I still miss my Lilly girl so much. A perfect friend. I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m happy Sadie is free from pain and free to run again. ❤

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  17. “It’s hard to categorize the things that move us the most.” You wrote a very moving tribute to Sadie, Jeff. I feel like I got to know her a little bit. I’m sure I’m not the only one that your post resonates with. I’ve had my share of goodbyes to four-legged family members. It’s heart-wrenching. Thank you for celebrating Sadie’s life this way. All the best as you and your family mourn the loss of her.

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  18. Romans 8:19-21
    19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 🐶🐾🌻🌿

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  19. Aw!!! She was so precious. And that panther story! Where did she live? I literally told my boys this morning–this very morning–that there are no panthers left in America because they were so dangerous that they were all killed off when the settlers came. (We’d read the panther stories in Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie.) Obviously, I was wrong about the panther population.

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