Goodbye, my friend.

I had to say goodbye yesterday to Sadie, my first very own dog. I got her the Summer of 2006 and we shared 5 incredible years together. She was my constant companion and stood by me through some very difficult times. She encouraged me to get outside and exercise while I was losing weight. She was with me through thick and thin, really quite literally. When I found out I was pregnant, I had to short sell my house and move back in with my family because I knew I wouldn't be able to afford a house and a baby by myself. Unfortunately my parents already have two dogs and couldn't take in me, my baby, and my dog, so I had to find her a new home. An old friend and co-worker, Yvonne, ended up taking her to live with her and her four children. Ironically, Yvonne lives in the exact same neighborhood as my parents, so I was able to see her all the time. It really could not have worked out any better. Yvonne and her children fell madly in love with Sadie. Each one of them developed a very special bond with Sadie. I visited often and even babysat while Yvonne and her family went out of town.

About a month ago Sadie suffered an injury to her knee and hip. It caused her great pain and neither Yvonne or myself could afford the surgery necessary to fix it. Even if we could, the doctor said there was a 50% chance the other knee would blow, requiring another surgery. Every day it seemed Sadie was in more and more pain. She got to the point where she would basically only to get up to eat and use the bathroom. She appeared to be in severe pain and depressed. Finally she stopped eating and drinking and in her irritable and painful state, she bit Yvonne's 4 year old son. Yvonne and I talked and decided that she needed to be put down. Her quality of life was no longer good and neither of us could bear to see her in so much pain, even while on daily pain meds. We went to the animal hospital yesterday together and said our goodbye's. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I will miss Sadie so very much. I miss her face and her special "Sadie smile." She was one of a kind, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to get another dog. Anyway, here are some photos to remember her and our time together.