difficult day
#218236 - 12/01/2008 08:19 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 08-30-2007
Posts: 3283
Loc:
Offline |
|
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
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: randy allen ]
#218239 - 12/01/2008 08:39 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 08-29-2006
Posts: 2324
Loc: Central Coast, California
Offline |
|
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!
True
![an image](http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc225/MorrissmPhotos/sig2-1.jpg) |
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: Sarah Morris ]
#218241 - 12/01/2008 09:01 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 08-16-2007
Posts: 2365
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Offline |
|
Randy, she was an absolutely beautiful dog.
I'm a little sniffy right now - your letter was wonderful. (((HUGS)))
Teagan!
![an image](http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/mitchthecat/Teagan/_MG_0559.jpg) |
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#218248 - 12/01/2008 10:20 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 12-16-2007
Posts: 2851
Loc: oklahoma
Offline |
|
I'm more than a little sniffy, she was a beautiful dog and it was a beautiful letter.
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: randy allen ]
#218251 - 12/01/2008 10:34 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
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?
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: Jennifer Lee ]
#218254 - 12/01/2008 10:49 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
Offline |
|
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.
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#218264 - 12/02/2008 04:05 AM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 1 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 03-03-2002
Posts: 178
Loc: Pocono Mountains, Pa
Offline |
|
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.
The only thing needed for evil to exist is for good men to stand by and do nothing!!! |
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: randy allen ]
#218267 - 12/02/2008 07:23 AM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 06-16-2008
Posts: 915
Loc: Central Virginia
Offline |
|
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
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: Roger Kutzler ]
#218269 - 12/02/2008 07:26 AM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 08-30-2007
Posts: 3283
Loc:
Offline |
|
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
|
Top
|
Re: difficult day
[Re: randy allen ]
#218270 - 12/02/2008 07:45 AM |
Webboard User
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 09-22-2007
Posts: 2531
Loc: S. Florida
Offline |
|
Randy, that's a beautiful story and a beautiful dog...
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.