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

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.