Sadie was sunshine, and she stole my heart from the moment she looked up at me and flashed those beautiful brown eyes a little more than twelve years ago. She sat quietly in a corner, calm and mellow; timid and quiet. I remember looking into that face, as it stared back at me, flanked by ears that appeared as though she would never grow into them, her fur a creamy yellow, so pale it was almost white. She was puppy cute, but extraordinarily beautiful; a beauty that would last her entire life time.
Sadie was joy and taught me the meaning of happiness! Her excitement for life was never ending. She was vocal and exuberant, and when she barked you knew it. It was a long drawn out, unmistakable bark. If I called her name, she always answered with a bark. If I scolded her for barking, she barked back. She loved to communicate, no matter the circumstance. I think she loved the sound of her own voice!
Sadie had a nose for exploring and it was forever in the grass. Always following a scent, and then often times rolling in whatever she found! She loved bones and tennis balls, but she was a Labrador Retriever that didn’t like to retrieve. A ball was to be chased, and then you were expected to chase her while she carried it around like a proud trophy until her jaws tired of it! She was a bundle of energy and enthusiasm, with a tail that perpetually wagged. Laying down, standing still, hearing her name, just making eye contact… it didn’t matter. The only difference, you either watched it wag, or heard it’s soft thump as it hit the floor!
Sadie loved to eat! Boy did she love to eat! She did a tap dance before every meal, with eyes that were always alert for signs of an impending treat being tossed from the air. There was hardly one that she ever missed, and if she did, it was usually the fault of the thrower! No matter where she was in the house, those ears that seemed so big when she was a puppy, came in handy for hearing the sound of food being unwrapped, or the refrigerator door being opened! And if she wasn’t staring at you while you ate, her eyes were glued to the floor for any crumbs that might manage to drop. She even took joy in eating the bits of imaginary morsels that she thought were there. 
Sadie started to slow down about a year ago, but her zest for life never waned. She loved going for walks, and even as her joints aged, she still ran at top speed when I called her name. When her beautiful body began to develop lumps, I was assured each time that though unsightly, they were nothing to be concerned about. Fatty tumors that’s all. But it was a grossly large mast cell tumor that seemed to develop over night a few months ago that signaled the beginning of the end shortly after her 12th birthday. I was angry that cancer was invading our lives once again. We had the tumor removed, but in the end cancer stole her away as we held her close in the quiet morning hours of September 18, 2011.
Today my house seems quiet, but of course it’s not. The sounds of life are all around me, and the dogs pace restlessly waiting to be walked. It’s still business as usual, and time marches on. I’m told not to dwell, but it’s far easier said than done, as I stare lovingly at photos that I have scattered across my desk, trying to absorb the loss that I feel inside. I focus on the beautiful golden face recalling once again the first time I stared into those big brown eyes, and my heart aches to know that she is gone. I want to hold her, and the reality is almost to hard to bear.
I continue to sift through the photos, and I imagine the sound of the thump of her tail, and it makes me smile. I glance at the fur that lays waiting to be swept from the floor. I imagine her barking at the door telling me she is ready to come inside. I think about how nerve wracking it was to take her anywhere in the car. Unless crated, she made sure that she was heard and she rocked the car like no other. Then I think of how quiet the car ride was yesterday when she took her last ride to the vet. Wrapped lovingly in a blanket, her soul already departed, and I long for that chaos. I imagine the sound of her tap-tap Labrador dance, and I close my eyes. I see her walking down the hallway, always the last to get out of bed in the morning, but always with a beautiful smile, and excitement in her eyes as she greeted each new day.
I’ll try hard not to dwell, but my heart is broken. My world was better because she was so much a part of it, and I’m certain that heaven is now a brighter place because she’s in it.
I love you my beautiful, sweet Sadie.
SADIE - April 16, 1999 - September 18, 2011
Sounds like Sadie was a good girl! I’m so sorry for your loss. She looks JUST like my Brucie who I’m going to go give a very big hug to in Sadie’s honor.
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Sadie 9 years ago to complications from surgery. She was a Doxie and ruled our house. It never gets any easier but treasure the lessons she taught you and feel fortunate for the love you had with her all those years. My daughter lost her rescue of just 3 years with the same mast cell tumor; it took dear Rosie so quickly. Rosie taught me how to be brave and loving in the face of unbelievable pain. She showed me how to die with dignity. I miss her every day. God Bless and Love you!!
I am so sorry for your loss . Remember the eyes that pulled you in and the heart that loved you for so long . I know its hard and hurtful to lose someone so special. I really believe God has us save them so they can save us . With much love and tears cried. God bless you for Sadie and all your 4 pawed family members ! xo
It is heartwarming to know there are others who LOVE their dogs as my husband and I do. We have 2 Rotties that are not in the best of shape (we adopted them) and we know that some day we will have to part with them as we have had to part with numerous ones through the years. I know that one day we will have them again to love – and will continue to add to our clan as long as we are able. God Bless You and your beautiful Sadie.
Hugs, Kel!!! xoxo
Let the tears fall, for sweet Sadie is so worth every one of them. Then, when you can smile again, remember her smile and let it fill your heart. She’s always going to be with you in your heart. But it is so hard when we miss them in our lives….
I am so sad to hear about your losing Sadie – what a beautiful girl. She now has crossed Rainbow Bridge and has already met up with so many new friends where none of them have pain any longer. She has joined my canine three “Seven-Up”, rescued Pit Bull “Dutchess” rescued Weimarner and “Devon” my rescued Canaan for certain.
With sadness,
Joan Marks
A beautiful story for a Beautiful Loving Dog. I will miss you girl but I know you are in a better place now. You have given all of us loving memories that we will cherish forever.
I love you Sadie!
My heart aches for you! This was a beautiful story. I know what it feels like to loose such a beloved part of your family. Take comfort in the fact that she knew that you loved her. {Hugs}
Oh Kelly…I’m so sorry. What a beautifully written, heartfelt tribute to a happy, noisey, silly, beautiful, much loved, & forever-will-be-missed character -Sadie.
May angels surround you and bring you comfort now, and may happy memories replace your pain as time moves on.
Hugs,
julie & crew
Oh Kelly, I’m so very sorry. My heart hurts for you. Run free and happy at the Rainbow Bridge Sadie.
Oh Ken and Kelly, I am crying right now as I cant imagine your loss! I know how much you both have been through. I am so sorry that Cancer has invaded your lives again. I don’t know what to say only that I care for the both of you and wish that it could be so different. I remember when my sweet boy left me and how part of me went with him. I always wonder why we ever have to say goodbye! What helped me was to remember all the wonderful memories as you did Kelly with your story about her. Please know I understand your pain and wish you the both of you my love and my sympathy.
the love we feel for our canine companions is so very beautiful… the 6 rescues who now live with my are my heart and soul.. just know that as painful as it is now, we will all see our loyal and faithful companions in paradise.. thats where the ones who have passed too soon are now.. and that is really their only fault that they do not last long enough.. I know this pain well, as I have many up in paradise now.. may the memories bring you some comfort during this most dfficult time..
Dear Kellie, What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend. These few words have given me some comfort in times of loss, perhaps you too. . .
And if I go, while you are still here. . .
Know that I still live on,
Vibrating to a different measure,
Behind a thin veil that you cannot see through.
You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I will wait there for the time when we can soar together again.
Until then, live your life to the fullest.
And when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart . . .
I will be there.
Author Unknown
RIP, dear, sweet Sadie! Kelly, just remember that one day she will meet you at the Bridge! She is playing and running now with all her new friends, with no more pain!
So sorry for your loss, Sadie will be deeply missed! She was always such a happy dog (you could tell by her lethal tail!) I’ll never forget her hanging over the fence of the dog run at the house on Coco – she was always so excited when we would go into the backyard just to say hi! I can just picture her and Cain now up in heaven, reunited
Oh my heart hurts SO bady for you. I know the pain so so well. I lost my Sana to Mast cell, in June of 2009. & his brother Kibo, to Lymphoma, in Feb 2010. Both were my yellow lab Boys. My life has never been the same. But it does go on. As you say, Life goes on. Its just so hard to know the certain little special things about them …. Kibo’s “catch me to get the sock back” look …. Sana’s big goofy lips hanging upside down when he slept on his back. BUT, like you with your sweet girl, we will be reunited again one day. Godspeed Miss Sadie. There are 2 VERY handsome Boys welcoming you right about now, Im sure!
I lost my Boozer to Cancer September 18th, 2009. I just want to say i am so sorry for your loss and i know the pain well. Time heals and eventually your heart will heal and you will have only happy memories. My thoughts are with you during this sad painful time.
What a beautiful girl Sadie is! I pray that your heart heals from the loss of Sadie. Years ago we lost our Miniature Schnauzer, Dutchess, and it took many years before I could give my heart to another dog. Now I have my sweet Boston Terrier, Riley, besides my daughter, he is the light of my life. Blessings to you and your family through this trying time.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog who lived a beautiful life w/ beautiful companions!! These photos are gorgeous which makes it harder to say goodbye in many ways. Because you know that it’s a once in a lifetime experience – to have been so blessed with such amazing & truly wonderful friends, buddies, partners, companions…..children!… all in one lifetime. On the one hand, we pinch ourselves when we realize how lucky we were to be chosen to be their owners, their guardians for life. On the other-hand, we realize how heartbroken we are to have to be the ones to say goodbye….in the end.
But they have left their pawprints on your heart forever, they are a part of your life that nothing can ever take away or remove from you. Those 12 years you spent w/ Sadie are yours and hers together – her entire life was you and was because of you that it was lived so well and to the fullest. She is yours and you are hers – no one, not even death, can ever take that away from you both. That’s what’s so special about our relationships w/ our pets; they choose us and we get to be the ones that their memory banks hold onto forever……When I lost Toby back in May of this year, I did a lot of soul searching and researching too – to try to understand how something so wonderful and so real could no longer be with me anymore. But I realized that he has never left me – he’s been by my side ever since. Cheering me on and guiding my path thru the last few months even leading me to our new rescue dog, Phoebe, who is so grateful to be w/ us, that it’s hard to keep sad when I have this great new dog that not only wants to be here and help us deal w/ our loss but who provides new hope and sunlight into our lives. I can’t even get into the number of similarities and parallels that have come about btwn her and my Toby – but there’s no doubt in my mind that he sent her here to be w/ us and help us through the next phase of life. Just as in life, our dogs are always there to help us and guide us even if we can’t see them physically; they are truly there. We are all sending prayers your way……and hoping that you will continue all of your hard work on the Wishcuit foundation for all the dogs out there who desperately need the help and awareness that your organization provides. With deepest sympathies for your loss…..-Kathy
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Sadie. It’s never easy to lose our source of unconditional love. My four year old mixed breed, Brinkley, has had two mast cell tumors removed in the past year. He is my heart and I can’t imagine losing him.
I know that time will heal your heart, but you’ll never forget her. You’ll always have your sweet memories of Sadie.
With sympathy,
Cindy
What a beautiful tribute to Sadie. It made my eyes leak…
I recognize the instant deep recognition of her beauty and spirit when you described the first shared gaze. This tribute hit extra hard since I found it just a couple days before the 1st anniversary of the loss of my first, eldest cat at the age of just shy of 15.
This is my first visit to your site and I will be exploring it after a puppy raiser workshop tomorrow.
We are so very sorry for your loss of Sadie. She brought you so many smiles and love (as you did for her)!. Her spirit/ love and thumping tail will be forever with you. Stay strong and know she us watching over you now..and barking…and barking…
I am sorry for your loss. There is one tough thing I have learned working in Veterinary medicine, and it is that labradors are the toughest to lose. They are never mean to anyone, always happy about life and to see you. It is not fair they leave so early. One of my favorite labradors died at the age of 15, and his parents shared with me one of those wonderful stories that gets passed around. A small child is with his parents at the vet when their dog is being put to sleep. Everyone is talking about how sad it is about how the dog has not lived long enough and people live much longer. The little kid says it is because we are put on this earth to learn how to be kind to people. The reason dogs don’t need to stay long is because they already know how to do that. People need a much longer lesson. I am sorry for the loss of your wonderful friend.
Sorry to hear about Sadie. I know how you feel inside. She is now at the Rainbow Bridge with my shepherds and lab mix who passed this past March. They take a little piece of our hearts and leave a piece of theirs but it is so hard to see them go. God gave them to us to love and cherish and take care of and they give us so much more. I still miss Sam each day. Remember all those great things about her, the tears will fade slowly, the memories will be there forever.