Our Beloved Sadie Passed Away
Sadie entered our life on June 8th, 1998. We had gone to PetSmart to pick up dog food for Kayleigh and naturally I sent Ernie to get the dog food while I went to see the dogs from the Humane Society there on weekends. We had talked about adding a second dog to our home, but were not actively looking. Then I saw this sweet, black dog staring out at me from behind the grate of the kennel. She was a golden retriever /lab mix just like our Kayleigh and, just like Kayleigh, she was long furred in gorgeous, sleek black.
I ran back to the dog food area to tell Ernie he had to drop everything and come see this gorgeous dog! The volunteer from the Humane Society brought her out to us and she was as sweet as she looked. She was about a year old and seemed a bit shy, in a ‘I’ve been rejected – will you love me?’ way. Ernie saw that I was completely taken with her and said I could bring her home as an early 9th anniversary present. (our anniversary was a month later on July 8th). However, we needed to first make sure that Kayleigh was okay with it. So we went home and I dashed back to PetSmart with Kayleigh.
The initial meeting between Kayleigh and Sadie was, to say the least, anticlimactic. They looked at each other, took a few sniffs then proceeded to lie down and ignore each other. When I mentioned to the humane society volunteer that I was disappointed, as I was expecting more interaction, she explained that the two dogs had figured out who was the lead dog in their first moments and they were content with their positions together. This was my first introduction to pack dynamics. It was all I needed to hear to decide that Sadie was a wonderful fit for our family.
Sadie had become attached to the Humane Society volunteer and was very stressed out when I took her leash to lead her and Kayleigh back to the car. We arrived home a little while later, walking Sadie around the yard to let her see her new home. It was a beautiful day with gardening on the agenda. It would be a good opportunity to be outside with the two dogs. Sadie was an affectionate dog who was following me all over the yard and house. I decided to weed the front garden and went into the shed to get out my kneeler. What happened after that was our first indication that this sweet new dog of ours had not been treated kindly in her previous life. Sadie saw the white kneeler, her eyes got wide and she bolted to hide behind Ernie. I immediately put the kneeler back in the shed, but Sadie would not even come near me until much later in the day. My heart broke for her. And that pity we felt carried through for years…and did her no favors.
Though she was an anniversary gift for me, Ernie quickly became Sadie’s human of choice. They had the special ‘something’ that every dog owner dreams of having with a dog. Her favorite thing in the whole world was to have ‘chair time’ with Daddy. Sometimes I would look over and the two of them would be sleeping the deep sleep of contentment, snuggled together, both in their happiest of places.
Sadie was a leaner. She would come up to you and very softly start to lean into you, hoping that you would reach down and rub her ear. Then hold on! Because once you started to rub her ear, the bliss was written all over her sweet face and she would sigh and put her full 90+ pound of weight onto your leg! I often told Ernie we should rename her ‘Lena’.
I am forever grateful for my friend Beth Line’s recommendation of Jan Fennell’s book ‘The Dog Listener’. That book changed how we interacted with our dogs and it changed Sadie’s life. I discovered that our pity had done nothing but reinforce the insecurities that Sadie came to us with and, after Kayleigh died, Sadie became a reluctant alpha for too many years in our home. Ever sweet, she carried a watchfulness and uneasiness with her at all times. When we finally took on the mantel of pack leader, Sadie blossomed into the lovely, calm follower she longed to be. Her last few years were the happiest of her life.
Sadie lived a full and loved life in our home for exactly ten years and one month. Except for about three weeks after Kayleigh died, she always lived with another dog. She and Sonagh were the best of friends and we would often find them curled up together. When Wally came into our pack last year, Sadie was just turning ten and wasn’t overly interested in playing with the new puppy. But on occasion, she would enjoy a wee bit of a romp in the back yard or a good bunny chase.
The week before Sadie died an angel came into her/our life in the form of a foster dog named Murphy. We are convinced he is an angel sent to make our beloved Sadie’s last week here with us happy and carefree. Because Wally was very occupied playing with Murphy, Sadie was free to play with her pal Sonagh, chew sticks in peace and generally reign as queen of the household, unmolested and unperturbed. Sadie gave Murphy a very strong ‘Go away kid, you’re bothering me!’ when he first arrived, so I only have this one picture of them together.
At 6:00 PM on July 8th our beloved Sadie suffered a massive stroke or heart attack after having a wonderful time playing in the back yard with the other dogs. With the help of our friend Tom, we rushed her to the vet, but we knew that what ever had happened was massive and final. There was no real decision to be made as it was evident that she could not recover. She went peacefully with the kind help of the veterinary staff and Dr. Bey, her paw draped over her best friend Ernie’s arm.
Ironically, I have the last, blissfully happy 30 seconds before she collapsed on video. It is comforting to know she was having a big time just before this all happened.
I want to share two videos with you.
The first one was from a couple of days before Sadie died…I had forgotten I had it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLj1m0xmV4
The second was literally less than two minutes before she collapsed. It is such a huge comfort to us to know she was having such a good time just before she left us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WorulBA5PSo
Sadie slept at my side for almost every word I have written in the last five years. I would often find myself just staring at her when I would get ‘stuck’. She always seemed to sense this and either look up or, better yet, come over and put her head on my lap. Some how, that would get me ‘unstuck’ and I would move forward with whatever I was writing. My writing continues, but as I look forward to my next big project, there is a deep sadness in my heart that my darling old girl will not be snoring quietly next to me.
For ten years and one month, we regularly asked ourselves who could ever give up such a wonderful dog. We will be forever grateful that they did.
The love and support of our friends, family and the Doodle community has been overwhelming, comforting us beyond words. To be embraced by those who understand that our dogs are not just pets, but much loved members of our family is to know the true nature of dogs and the humanity they bring to our souls. Dogs teach us to reach out and give someone a puppy kiss when they are sad. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for the puppy kisses!
Edie, Ernie, Sonagh, Wally and Murphy