I was absent from work on Friday and there was a very sad reason why. As I grieve for my precious Sadie, I'd like to remember her sass and spunk too!

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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As Sadie was set to turn 14 this month, I'd been worried for months about her health. I just had this intuition that she wasn't herself anymore. Over the last several weeks she had this strange cough that would come and go which didn't worry me much. Overall, she was very healthy. She suffered from typical old age stuff like hearing, sleeping more and eye sight issues. She had a heart murmur for many years, but other than that she was very healthy and loved. For months I prayed that if her time on this Earth was to end, I wanted it to be at home, quickly and peacefully. Friday morning at 8:00 I got my wish, although I never wanted it to happen. It was the normal routine. Potty, treats, play time, belly rubs and rolling on the bed. She jumped off the bed and had a heart attack and passed away in my arms. It was everything I had asked for, but darn did it hurt so bad. Lucy, my other fur-baby was right there by our side and my heart broke for her as I could see the tears in her eyes along with mine. More about Lucy and her relationship with Sadie in a bit. Instead of thinking about Friday, I'd rather remember my fun loving, sassy, beautiful Sadie. My first born baby!

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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It's a funny story how Sadie came to the Birgy Arnold house! Well, this part isn't funny, but part of life. I couldn't have children and was really longing for a dog so I could be a Mom. My husband, Chris Arnold, just didn't want one so it was back and forth for months. So....Chris goes on a business trip and I hear about this cute puppy that needed a home. What's a girl to do? I think you know what I did!!! I picked her up, named her Sadie instantly, stopped for toys, dog food and all of the dog essentials. And.....waited. And....waited. So in pulls Chris onto the driveway and I come out to greet him with little Sadie waddling behind me. I'd like to say in that moment that he scooped her up, swung her around and kissed her cheeks, but that's only in commercials I guess! He was none to happy with me to say the least. It took a couple of weeks until our family unit became solid and there was no looking back. Chris loved that dog so much. She joined us on Michigan and Canada vacations. My stepson Josh, and Sadie were best buds. She really did fit right in and so her journey begins!!! (the bottom/right side picture is at the family cabin in Canada and her Grandma sneaking people food to her which she knew was a no no!!!)

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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Talk about Chris coming around!! 8 years ago, I started feeling paternal again and started asking (okay pestering) about getting another dog. I thought it was the perfect age for Sadie to have a companion and to help keep her young. I started looking at rescues and found LuAnn (rescue name). OMG, she looked like she could be Sadie's actual sister so I knew it was meant to be!!!! So, now I have to keep working on Chris. He went through the pros and cons (may have been more cons!!) of having two dogs and then opened the door. It was just a crack, but before he could shut the door, I drove two hours and brought Lucy home. Sadie and Lucy became not only sisters, but best friends. They spent literally every minute together. They rarely got into a disagreement. Sadie was super patient with Lucy licking her face, stealing her Mom time, getting the better place on the bed (glued to me, of course) and maybe a bit more attention since she was the youngest. Watching Lucy this weekend is breaking my heart. She just wants to sleep and mourn. I look into her big brown eyes and I see her tears. I look forward to the day when I see her face light up again. Hopefully it will be very soon. I love her so much and will continue to love her through the pain.

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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Sadie loved holidays and parties! She was the life of the party. While Lucy had to be put up because she's scared of strangers, Sadie would greet visitors at the door, jumping on them and kissing their faces, if allowed. She never met a stranger. She was just a sweetheart! I have to point out a couple of these pictures. When I took Sadie for her first Santa picture she wouldn't look at the camera, so Santa made the assist and took his hands to hold her head up. When I got the picture, I laughed SO hard as it looked like Santa is choking my poor Sadie. The tongue sticking out sealed the deal. And, then there's toys. Every year Aunt Kay would get Sadie a toy for Christmas. Every year it was tore up within hours. Sadie never had toys. Ever. Trust me, I tried toys made of fire hose, tough rubber, etc.and still she'd find a way!!!! She was so sassy.

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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Who knew my Sadie could have had a future in show business! On two separate occasions, Chris was watching television and spotted Sadie's doppelganger. Crazy how much they look alike!!!

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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Everyone grieves the loss of a pet differently, but for me the hole in my heart will be there for the rest of my days. She was my first born, the love of my life, my constant companion, a great daughter, big sister, friend and so much more. I'm going to miss her greeting me at the door, crawling into bed with me, kissing me on the cheeks, treating me like I was everything to her, loving me, sitting on my lap and at my feet, watching me use the restroom, staring at me with those big brown eyes and just being my Sadie. My Love, My Life, My Heart.

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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I've got to go now my sweet girl. Your baby sister needs her Mommy, but I'll miss you more than you will ever know. Sweet Dreams.

(These photos were taken over the last  couple of weeks). Grateful for Paws Town, LLC for taking many of these photos and capturing her sweetness!!!!)

Barb Birgy
Barb Birgy
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I made this video a couple of years ago and I think you will see how much I was loved and how much I loved Sadie Marie Arnold.

 

 

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