Hello all,
I don't really know why I'm revisiting my dog three years after her death. Perhaps it's that I've read too many of Ed's received letters of eulogy and I can't help myself. Perhaps it's all the new dogs and puppies everyone around seems to be welcoming into their lives. But for the life of me, I don't know why I feel the need to share some of hers and mine story. Share it I will though.
Sadie wasn't just a 'good dog' one remembers fondly. Sadie was more like a force of nature all unto her own. She made everything I knew about dogs almost irrelevant, and everything I thought I knew about dogs was laid bare for it's useless worth. And three years after her death today I still miss her keenly; the rank driven, territorial, possessive pitb. LOL and sob, all at the same time.
I have stories and memories of our time together to last as long as I do, but the one I'm going to share is of our parting. It's an experience I try to remember when I'm sliding down the slope of depression, or laying at the bottom of the sink hole with nothing but shadows for company. It serves to remind me that maybe there's more to life then just dieing.
This account is cut and pasted from the end of the letter I wrote to the breeder of Sadie about a week or two after her death with only minor edits for flow in language (I could barely see through my tears) (and even now am having a time of it), also I didn't want to chance any elaboration of the event three years after the fact. The only thing I might add now about the incident is that, it had never happened previous to her death, and has never happened since........Make of it what you will.
I've got a couple of pictures of her here, if anyone would like to have a look at this very special dog.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/imrsallen/Sadie1a.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/imrsallen/sadie222.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/imrsallen/sadie466.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/imrsallen/Sadie.jpg

I hope you enjoy the pictures I sent along.
Sadie was the sun, the moon , and the stars in my universe and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us the pleasure of her company all these years. One last thing and then I'll sign off, please bear with me; later on in the afternoon of the day of her passing I had to make a trip into town that could not be avoided. It was about 4:30 pm or so and also the first time in a long time I was alone, as Sadie had always been at my side. Anyways it was about 4:30 and time for all the dog walkers to start coming out of the woodwork. On the way into town I passed about 5 or 6 dogs of varying breeds, all but one stopped in mid -stride. Just momentarily but they hesitated and looked in my direction none the less. The oddest thing though was on the way out of town. On the way out I passed 4 (I think) of the original half dozen still out on their walk, and as I passed, each in turn either stopped and turned or stopped in stride and barked, and barked vigorously, one actually lunged as the truck went by. The dogs were at least a block apart so pack behavior doesn't account for their actions. And the owners surprised reactions told me it was most unusual......................we all miss Sadie terribly.

Again, thank-you for making it all possible.
sincerely,
Randy

Once in a lifetime dogs touch our lives in deep and special ways....and they stay with us. It's not at all surprising that you're remembering her and missing her. It's a testament to her that you do. I'm glad you shared her story and her pictures with all of us.... That first picture is just wonderful!

Hugs to you, Randy!

Randy, she was an absolutely beautiful dog.

I'm a little sniffy right now - your letter was wonderful. (((HUGS)))

I'm more than a little sniffy, she was a beautiful dog and it was a beautiful letter.

My soul-dog (Luna) knew more neighbors than I did. People would say hello on walks who knew her name but not mine.

One time when I was away for a few days and my dog- and house-sitter took her downtown with him (a couple of blocks from my house), someone asked him why he had Luna. Suspiciously, he told me later.

She had presence.


I wonder whether it was just that you were "wrong" (different) to the other dogs when you were suddenly Sadie-less .... or something else.

It would not shock me if I were to find out that those dogs could sense Sadie's passing, or her change from corporeal to non-corporeal, or whatever dogs know that we do not.

Your Sadie is a beautiful dog with a GREAT face.

We are so blessed by these creatures, aren't we?

You can tell she meant....I was going to say "a lot", but that probably doesn't even begin to cover it, huh?

Thanks for sharing her story. The letter gave me goose bumps.

Randy you`re not alone. I`ve had shepherds for all my 54 years but one touched my life and changed it in a positive way 20 years ago. Taught me more about life then any psychologist or preacher could have. I had him from 12 weeks to 10 years. I had just gotten to Aruba to celebrate my 25th anniv. when I got the call Shultz got out of the boarding kennel. My wife looked at me and got us the next flight home. I happened to be the one that found him just minutes after he was hit by a car. For 10 years he went to work and had spent every day with me. Now his ashes sit here on my desk.

 Quote: randy allen

Sadie was the sun, the moon , and the stars in my universe...

Randy, I don't see how it could ever be more beautifully expressed; anyone who has ever had a dog touch their life as deeply as yours did will instantly identify with this statement. I sure do.

Grief is such a difficult and mysterious thing; that it should ambush you three years later doesn't surprise me at all. I hope you are able to let that part flow on thru and be done with it for this time around, very soon.

And, great pics!

leih

Thanks guys,
Just being able to share some of our story kind of helped in a way.
Sadie was special.
Wish I had known this circle of friends when she was alive. It would have made things easier, in both her life and her death. Not many outside the dog community understand the connection that forms between man and dog.

Indeed Connie,
It was one of the oddest things I've ever experienced. There does seem to be more going on then we can know about from this side of the divide.

Randy

Randy, that's a beautiful story and a beautiful dog...