We're not really sure what kind of dog Sadie is. She obviously has some Lab in her and the vet is convinced she has some sort of hound in her as well. (Sadie can "AROOOOO: with the best of the Beagles in the world, so maye that's what's in there.) There's something else mixed in there, too, but we have no clue what.
Sadie had a rough start to her life, and it shows. We met Sadie one Thursday afternoon in February, 2012 at the Humane Society next to my office. Sadie had been found as a stray somewhere in Ohio and had ultimately been sent to Wisconsin in hopes of finding her a home. They figured she was around three years old.
Sadie didn't last long at the Humane Society before someone adopted her. She is, after all, a beautiful and very loving dog. Unfortunately, her new owner returned her to the Humane Society after only a couple of months; unable or unwilling to deal with the issues of a rescued dog. The notes from her owner indicated that she was left alone all day and was only taken outside to take care of her business. She had never been taken for a walk or just allowed to run. Why the person ever adopted a dog in the first place is beyond me.
Diane had finally succumbed to my constant pressure to get a dog when we met Sadie. She lay quivering in her cage at the Humane Society. She craved love and attention when they brought her into a private room for us to meet her and spend time with her. She was a dog who desperately needed to be loved and I was a man who desperately needed a dog to love.
Sadie came home with us that evening, and brought with her all of the hauntings of her past. She was very anxious and afraid.
We slept on the floor beside her crate that first night because she was so anxious. We gave up on the crate the second night and decided to see what she would do if we just let her out. She immediately jumped onto our bed and curled up between our feet; completely content to just be close to us.
It took several weeks, perhaps even months, before Sadie seemed to understand that she was home for good now; before she lifted her tail from between her legs as we walked through the neighborhood.
We had several visits with the vet and a canine behavior specialist (Diane calls her the Dog Shrink) to help Sadie settle in to her new life. She was the star pupil in her Basic Manners 1 and 2 classes! (Diane claims that I am biased in my opinion of her class ranking, but Diane would be wrong!)
Sadie has become a beloved member of our family. She loves to go for walks, run around in the yard (protecting us from the ever-present scourge known as chipmunks), and collect whatever petting and belly rubbing she can get. She races out to greet me as I get out of the car each day after work; her joy at having me home plainly visible on her face.
She is not allowed on the sofa or love seat in our family room; instead relegated to my old recliner. She has claimed it as her own despite the fact that one of the cats regularly jumps onto the chair in an attempt to keep Sadie from her spot. Sadie just stands in front of the chair looking at us for help. We move the cat off her chair since the cat is allowed on the other furniture (just try keeping a cat off the other furniture) and Sadie quickly jumps up and settles in.
Sadie continues to have some separation issues. Fortunately, we have found a wonderful, family owned kennel who will take her in when we have to board her for any reason. She doesn't do well in the kennel, so they just take her into their home and let her live with them during her stays there. Sadie loves to follow Dale around as he cares for their chickens and goats, and she sleeps between Dale and Sarah on the bed each night. We are comforted in knowing Sadie will just be part of the family when we leave her with them.
Diane and I have talked about what likely would have happened to Sadie if we had not fallen in love with her that day at the Humane Society. We realize that she probably would have been euthanized; prematurely ending the life of a wonderful dog who just needed people to love her. Instead, Sadie has found a loving home where she has blossomed and thrived. She brings me much joy and I am so thrilled to have her in our family.
Sadie may very well be the poster puppy for that saying, "Saving the life of one dog may not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one dog."
Sadie is soooo lucky to have found you & Diane. Shelter dogs make rhe best pets. I guess shelter cats do too. They give so much love & happiness. Thank you for saving Sadie's life.
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