The Joy of Sadie: Part Two

Snoozeville

On June 9th, Sadie will be six months old. I have trouble comprehending that she has only been with us since February 15th because she has had such a positive impact on our household. Me, especially. I do not think I realized how much I was missing a four legged companion until Sadie took over my days. When she first came home, I put everything on hold - volunteering, Bible Study, coffee dates - to care for this pinecone colored fur ball. Like a relationship gone bad, this poor girl came with lots of baggage. I felt like every time we turned a healing corner, I was being called back to the baggage claim for one more thing that comes with a rescue puppy. We survived worms that were trying to suck the life out of her. Urinary tract infections. Upset tummy moments. A non-contagious yet aggressive form of mange that requires a liquid dose of medicine to be squirted down her throat for not weeks....months. But Sadie takes all of these interruptions in stride. Her vet, Dr. Stolz, who loves her to the moon and back, mentioned to Sadie that, "she could just come visit. She doesn't have to keep coming up with new things so she can come see everyone. We would love just a drop in hello!". Sigh. So would our checkbook.

Sadie, the  Big Brown Dog

Walk me or I chew. Your call.

But in between all of these hiccups during our first three months, Sadie has burrowed deep into the heartbeat of our house. She is playful, smart, sassy, belligerent, curious, quick, awkward, sweet, cuddly, beautiful and hilarious. We have watched a round, squished pug nose slowly stretch out to a narrow, box shaped super sniffer. We have watched her stubby, chunky legs grow long and lean to fit into her paws that at times, overwhelmed her running ability, leaving her splayed and dazed on the kitchen floor. We have listened to her pitiful whimper as she unsuccessfully tried to overcome homemade blockades. Those same blockades are now 100% ineffective. And the whimper has transformed into a smart bark that demands quick attention to either, "Outside!" or "Play!". She does not take no for an answer. We have watched a timid puppy dig her paws deep into the ground as we attempted to take her on her first adventure down our street. For weeks we had to carry her down the road until we hit our neighborhood greenway. Then she would happily plod along the half-mile circle. Now she understands "Walk?" and impatiently waits us to gather shoes, leashes and poo bags so she can cover a three mile adventure chasing anything with fur and feathers. We have watched her tap a front paw into a cool creek and then run off in the other direction. Now she wants to chase a tennis ball in Bond Lake, sometimes, fully submerged. She has learned sit, down, stay, ok, kennel, outside, walk, heel and good girl, but these are totally used at her discretion and not on command. Kennel usually entails a huge chase around the house and strategically closed doors and moved furniture so I can grab her by the scruff of her neck and point her in the right direction. Finally, tail up, she prances into her "dog cave" to rest while the house becomes uninhabited for a brief spell.


Mommy's Little Helper

Sending Birthday Greetings

Bond Park

Sadie adores Josh and views him more of an equal than a dog/human relationship. They play Tyrannosaurus Rex versus Triceratops. On more than one occasion, I have walked back out of a room I recently entered because I do not want to become entangled in their Greco style wrestling match. They play hide and seek, chase, and fetch. They rest together and they laugh A LOT together. And they get in trouble together, with eyes sparkling and tongues lolling out of their mouths with an expression that says, "So worth it!". Josh and Sadie are the definition of a boy and his dog. I imagine they will be best buds for years to come, even as the wildness of youth subsides.
Anna and Sadie enjoy walks, gab fests and the battle of wills. I can't hedge a bet on either being victorious, but this will be no quick and easy battle. Anna is a dutiful young caretaker of Sadie. She feeds her, fills her water bowl, takes her outside, tries to teach her tricks and takes her for short walks around the neighborhood. Their relationship is different than Josh and Sadie, but I believe Sadie will provide great relief to Anna during the angst ridden years of Middle School which is only one year in the future. And I think Sadie will happily oblige filling those shoes for her sister.

My co-pilot *

David loves his weekend morning walks with Sadie. He enjoys watching her ears rise and her paw draw up as she spies a creature moving in the leaves above or the pine straw below. He enjoys watching her wrestle other neighborhood dogs or explain to her for the millionth time why some dogs just don't want a paw swiped across their nose. He enjoys the brief training segments and the success of his efforts. He enjoys the natural cadence of their steps, leaving the stress of children, work and home life (aka wife) behind and welcoming the respite of nature to his morning routine. Sadie is David's yoga, a living, breathing Downward Dog.
But for me, Sadie is my healer. This tiny pup that grew slowly in stature and weight has quickly taken over my heart. A loneliness had set up residence in my head and heart with the passing of Mason and Dixon and the exit of Anna and Josh to school full time. Somehow, I was unaware of this new tenant until a quirky, playful puppy came home with us one day in February and immediately ordered this unwanted guest OUT! There was no room for a freeloader named Debbie Downer any longer. Sadie and I now stand at the front door together, sending David and the children off to work and school. We take little road trips to discover new parks, trails and friends. We take long walks. We turn the music up really loud and run around the house, daring each other to tucker out first. We hang out on the couch together and occasionally, I will invite her to keep me company on my bed while I read or watch a program on the iPad. As I look at Sadie now, splayed out like a seal with her head stretching out between her front paws and her back legs stretching out long behind her, I watch her rhythmic breathing and her contented sleep. She has come a long way in her short life. Together, through the harsh winter and late spring, we grew, healed and found our place in the world. With the addition of her into our family, Sadie swiftly reminded us the most important gift we can give or receive is love. And to the person who decided they did not need Sadie, I say "thank you" because she found four people who did - and we are joyful every day for the happiness she pours into our home. Woof!
*please note Sadie does not ride in the front seat of our car - this photo was for website picture purposes only.

Queen Sadie - five months