my Sadie dog - 8/7/92 - 10/9/09

[sabies]

I am so sad that it has come time for me to post in this section. On 10/9/2009 I had to put Sadie to sleep. She had been suffering from kidney disease for years and congestive heart failure for over 1 year. It was her kidneys that ultimately gave up first.

She had slowed down a lot but it was only the last week that was really bad and the reason for my decision. By the time I was at the vet it had been a week since she really ate. I know she would have died of starvation, possibly within days, but still I have guilt that I killed my dog. I believe euthanasia is a good thing, but that does not stop the guilt.

Sadie, I miss you so much. You were with me over 16 years of your 17. How can I get use to you not being here. Looking at your youthful pictures I am coming to terms with the fact that your quality of life was deteriorating and you really weren't as happy as you once were. I remember our younger years and that makes me smile.

Oct 21, 2009 is Sadie's funeral. I can go to the cemetery, have a viewing, and witness the cremation. I am thankful I can do this and that I can see her one last time. After that her ashes will forever be with me.

The difference in the pictures is amazing, but her last week she did perk up her ears for one last picture.
10/4/2009 - 17 years old
http://www.jennmike.com/pictures/pettalk/2009.jpg
1996 - 3-4 years old
http://www.jennmike.com/pictures/pettalk/1996.jpg

I have much to be thankful for - I never took her companionship for granted and I spoiled her rotten. She had a long life for a dog but still I want more.

Even at age 14 she could jump thru an agility course. She was still pretty active til the last few months.

http://www.jennmike.com/pictures/pettalk/agility/sadie_jump2.jpg

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh.:( Oh my gosh.... I don't really know what to say... other than I am SO SORRY to hear about your Sadie baby.:( She obviously had a VERY good life-extremly spoiled, loved, and very well taken care of.

As you probably know, I too have a black Lab Sadie May. She is 13 years old as we speak. Gosh, I do not know how I am going to get on with life without my childhood friend.:(

Again, I am so so so sorry.:(

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm so sorry for your loss of your dear Sadie. :( She lived a good long life with you and was very loved. Please release yourself from the guilt. Sometimes letting our beloved furkids go is an act of kindness, nothing for you to feel guilty about. {{{hugs}}}

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so very sorry, Sabies. :( Sadie was a beautiful girl and reminds me of my Rocky. :love: Please don't beat yourself up, you did the best thing for Sadie and I know she loves you and will be your guardian angel. (((hugs))) You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. My Rocky and Jenny will show her the ropes! RIP sweet Sadie, you were very much loved and still are. :love:

[Karen]

Rest in peace, grand lady Sadie. You presence here on earth will never be forgotten!

[Moesha]

Adding my condolences to the list. You gave her a most wonderful life. That's the best that any of us can do for our furkids. She surely was dearly loved and loved in return.

[lizbud]

I am so sorry Sadie passed on.:( Sometimes I think our dogs linger
on as long as they do for love of us. They can be racked with pain, but
still try to please their people.:( I have to believe it's the last kindness
we can give them to let them go with dignity.

Rest In Peace Sadie.,

[Daisy and Delilah]

I am so sorry. I know the courage it took to post this story. How terribly heartbreaking. She looked like such a sweet girl. Having a funeral for her is the most special thing you can do for her, for you, and the family. I know it's hard to have to make the decision on what to do. I have never fancied myself as a person that can make such decisions. None of us have. We just do the best we can do and hope and pray we've done the right thing. You've done the right thing. She had a wonderful life and it was her time to go. God was calling her. I pray that God gives you the strength you need to make peace with yourself. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Rest In Peace Sweet Sadie :( The RB is a brighter place now that you've arrived. :(

[Alysser]

I am so so sorry for your loss of Sadie. She was very old, and lived a long healthy and happy life with you. RIP beautiful girl! :(

[delidog]

GodSpeed,Dearest Sadie...
Hobo will be waiting for you at The Rainbow Bridge...
You may heal together...
My Heart goes out to your Pet Humans also at this time,I know what they are feeling....
Sadie Is a Beatifl Girl
She Will Be in Your Heart Forever

[Taz_Zoee]

Sadie had a long wonderful life with you. Many dogs and people do not have that long together. She will forever live on in your heart and memories.
It is wonderful that you get to have a funeral for her.

RIP Sadie

[Queen of Poop]

I am so very, very sorry for your loss.

[sabies]

Thank you everyone for your support. It is nice to be able to reach out to people who really understand.

I have had other dogs but Sadie was the first dog that was all mine, as I started life on my own. She will always have a special place in my heart, moreso than any dog before or any dog that may be in my future.

I had forgotten how hard grief hits you. I'm still in shock that Sadie is gone but I'm feeling less guilty about my decision to end her suffering. It's so hard to let go.

[sabies]

Kaitlyn your Sadie reminds me of mine, give her and all your dogs big hugs for me. I hope your Sadie has many more good years!

Gayle - that last picture of Sasha really chokes me up, I know too well what you were going through at the time.

[K9karen]

Gasp! I am so sorry for your loss. You both are so blessed and lucky that you had each other for 17 years. I know it doesn't make it easier, but it's so wonderful you had such a loving, spiritual relationship. I know you always will. Hugs and lots of :love:.

[caseysmom]

Play hard at the bridge Sadie, it sounds like you had a wonderful like on this earth and now it will continue at the bridge.

I am so sorry for your loss, you did the right thing she had a long wonderful life with you and when the time came you did the right thing for her.

[MonicanHonda]

RIP poor Sadie. You can tell how much dogs change in such a little time by looking at her pictures. (3/4 - 14) It's so sad that their life is so short compared to ours... rest in peace pretty girl.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I am still thinking of you and Sadie...:(
But, I am very glad that my Sadie girl was able to reming you of yours..:love:

[ramanth]

Jenn, I'm so sorry to hear about Sadie. :( :(

RIP sweet girl. You will be missed. :(

[sabies]

Today I had Sadie's funeral. It was very nice and I'm glad I did it. The crematory was like a small funeral home and the viewing was the same as human funerals I have been to just on a smaller scale. One of the women at the place read a couple of poems, one being Rainbow Bridge. I did get to see Sadie and touch her, my choice. I was thankful to be able to be with her one last time after having a little over a week to adjust to the fact that Sadie is no longer with me.

I also chose to witness the cremation when she went in and came out. The way it was set up I watched through a window. I wasn't sure I would want to watch but I felt I had to see Sadie all the way through. She's use to me always being there for her and while I liked and trusted the place I still wanted to be sure they took good care of Sadie.

While today may have been my last chance to see Sadie I did at least get to bring home her ashes. I got an urn and a necklace, so now she will be able to go to work and everywhere else with me. Well, not swimming or in water but that is ok she never really liked baths or swimming.

Rest in peace my sweet Sadie. I love you and miss you so much. I miss the days when you followed me everywhere and demanded belly scratches but I know that even when you were alive these last couple of years you did not have the strength or energy to follow me and by the end you couldn't do anything fun anymore. I wish you did not have to get old my sweetie and I hope that you are running free at the Bridge.

[cyber-sibes]

Godspeed, sweet Sadie, look in on mom from time to time.

I am so sorry for your loss. She had such a grand life with you, and will continue to live in your heart, because love never ends.:love:

I just got Star's ashes back a couple days ago. I just sat there holding them and cried and cried. I miss her so much. I'm glad we have her ashes. Then, wherever we end up, I know I will always have her with me at home.

[dukedogsmom]

*Sobs* I'm just now seeing this, as well. I've always loved Sadie. Aren't those last pictures special? Duke perked up for me right before I went in at the vets. I truly believe that's their last gift to us. The pain never goes away but it does get easier, at times. I'm glad you had the ceremony for her. If you ever need anything, pm me, ok? All our RB dogs will make sure she's looked after until you meet again :love:

[skunkers]

i'm so sorry..:(
may Sadie rest in peace

[sabies]

It is thundering here tonight and Sadie used to be so afraid. There wasn't much I could do to comfort her but apparently it comforted me knowing she was safe in the house. I am upset not being able to see her - her ashes are with me but right now that is not enough.

[chocolatepuppy]

It takes a long time, dealing with the pain. :( I don't think we ever get over missing them, but the pain will lesson. When my Mandy died, oh how for over a month, I wanted her back, didn't think I could go on. But I did. To this day years later, never a day goes by I don't think of her, or speak of her, or talk to her. {{{hugs}}}

[bobsmom]

I agree with what someone said in an earlier post... I think our pets often hold onto life just to please us. Humans will sometimes give up and just let go when they feel their time has come, but not a dog. I never knew a dog ever who went quietly and quickly. They will hang on and crawl to your side to be with you. Sometimes the most humane (although difficult) thing to do is help them along the way in their final days - just to put them out of their suffering. I hope that you are at peace. I know Sadie is!!!

[Freedom]

RIP Sadie.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I'm so sorry for not seeing this sooner. I know that pain and I'm so sorry you're having to go through it. Sadie was so, so lucky to have you as a mommy. She was so special and you loved her so much. Like Dukedogsmom said, the pain never goes away but it does get easier. I still cry over Grahams loss, and that was 3 years ago.

Sadie is in a good place and will always be with you in spirit. You did good with her.

Hugs to you and the family. :love::love::love:

[sabies]

Thank you everyone for all your good thoughts. It has been a month without Sadie but it doesn't seem that long. I am feeling less guilty and I guess closer to a more accepting stage of grief. Not that I'm ok with her going, I think the life expectancy of dogs is too short, but I accept that it was her time and I had no control over that. I have a couple of books on pet loss that help me recognize all the feelings I have plus coming here helps to know I'm not the only one to have gone through this.

I still have her bed out and actually that doesn't bother me - it's the stuff that is hidden or that I stumble upon unexpectedly that can catch me off guard and upset me. I'll be packing up some of her stuff soon but her bed will stay out for a while. I'm not going to rush myself.

[Genny]

I'm so sorry you lost Sadie. She was very old. You were lucky to have her for as long as you did. Lots of dogs don't live to be that old :( You can tell by the pics how much she had aged. Made me think of my collie. The last picture I took of her looked so different from all the rest. You could just tell how tired she was.