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Farewell Sadie

I’m  veering completely off my usual job search / career industry topics tonight to honor my Dachshund-mix, Sadie. My Sadie girl.

I adopted Sadie as an adult on Leap Day in 1996. She had been a stray, terrified of everything and heartworm positive when we first met. I had her treated for heartworms, spayed,  brought up to date on her vaccinations and made sure she had regular meals. She repaid the kindness by spending the first month she lived with me under the bed, literally coming out only to input or output. Slowly, she emerged and eventually, became my shadow; still not trusting of many people, but my adoring fan. (Oh to be the person my dog thinks I am … )

The first time I brought my now husband, Gary, to my house, she went immediately to him and climbed in his lap. She’d never done that with anyone before. I knew he was the one.

Sadie went through a divorce with me, found new love with me, shared my joys, licked my tears away when I was sad, put up with ferrets, five other dogs (all three times her size, but she was in charge), birds and all sorts of craziness over the years. Through it all she has been a loyal and true friend. A shiny, doll-haired land-seal, as my friend Julie called her. Tonight, after 14 years together (we estimated her to be about 17 or 18), we said goodbye. A dear, dear veterinarian friend came by and helped her to transition to heaven.

Yes. I believe all dogs go to heaven and she’ll be waiting for me when I arrive.

Farewell Sadie. I’ve been blessed to have you in my life.

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14 Comments

  1. I am so sorry. She sounds like a most special girl. It’s clear she was very loved and very happy. You’ll definitely see her again!

    xo,

    Romeo

  2. Gayle Howard says:

    That’s beautiful Dawn. You brought me to tears. What a blessing to have known such devotion and loyalty. Thinking of you.

  3. dawnbugni says:

    Romeo, Gayle —

    Thank-you. You have no idea how much comfort you’ve given to me tonight. Hugs are hugs — virtual or otherwise — and I can feel yours now. Thank-you.

  4. Gary Merkle says:

    That was a sweet tribute to her. Sadie will be missed:{

  5. dawnbugni says:

    She left paw prints on both our hearts, my darling.

  6. Gayle says:

    Everyone at our house is getting extra snuggles, hugs & cookies in Sadie’s honor.

    Once a dog has entwined herself round your heart
    she is not only yours for life, but you are hers.
    When she is gone, her place is forever sacred.
    Other dogs are just as precious
    but they all have their allotted spot in your
    affections kept for them or their memory.
    A heaven without one’s dogs
    would not be the heaven we hoped for.
    A dog is always (wo)man’s best friend.
    Written By: anonymous

  7. dawnbugni says:

    Gayle –

    Tears yet again with that beautiful quote. Thank-you.

    And I promise, Sadie would approve the extra cookies and love. She was a chow-hound and a love-junkie all in one compact little sleek black package.

    Hugs my friend. Hugs.

  8. rummuser says:

    “Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog.”
    – George Gordon, Lord Byron, “Inscription on the Monument of a Newfoundland Dog”

  9. dawnbugni says:

    Ramana –

    I have no words. That was beautiful. Thank-you for the virtual hug. (And for coming back!) You’re always welcome here.

  10. Mama says:

    Dawn, your shadow has left but will
    always be with you. What a great
    life you gave her and she you.
    Love Mama

  11. I didn’t see this until now. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. And how amazing that she found you!

  12. […] lives on a Saturday night. Strangely enough, he appeared on the eve of the day we said good-bye to Sadie. It was almost as if he knew there’d be an opening for a dog at our house and he was […]

  13. […] Dawn Bugni and others had told me there would be triggers that would remind me of Teddy for a long time. I just didn’t see this one coming. […]

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