There once was a dog named Sadie
who was a little bit crazy.
She acted a fool
until she turned two
then she became an old lady.
Take that mean 4th grade teacher who put my poetry on the board to illustrate how NOT to rhyme!
We have been traveling a lot lately hence the neglect of the blog. We probably should not have traveled since Sadie has been having health issues since July. Each time we think that we have figured out and fixed the problem, we leave and the poor dog sitters have a hell of a time.
We headed to Germany on the 21st thinking that we had gotten rid of the latest problem, but oh was there a bigger one to come. We knew from emailed reports that the S dog was having problems as soon as we left. By the time we got back things had gotten to a really bad point. A cyst that Sadie has had for years had burst because she had been picking at it. She lived through that experience, but whether or not she will live through the surgery tomorrow is still unknown.
During this time of waiting, I have been thinking of Sadie. I have been crying. I have even been wishing that she would find a quick out during surgery so that she won't have to live with the never-ending problems.
Sadie was my first baby. I got her right out of college. I sped home during lunch to let her out and even got caught once. She really did act a fool for those first two years. We will apologize AGAIN for the chewed handle on the brand new lazy boy (sorry Anthony), the chewed knob on the new pie safe (sorry Mom), the chewing of our roommate's cat (sorry Gina, so glad you have a bad memory and forgot this incident), and chewed glasses (sorry self, good thing I had insurance). And then, she turned two and really, that day, she turned into a grandma. She slowed and even seemed wise. It was fitting since she was named after a character in a book that WAS a wise old grandma. You ought to have seen the looks of disgust she shot Jasmine when I brought that wild puppy home from the SPCA. Sadie tolerated, but would have nothing to do with her.
We took them to Germany and they thrived. Jasmine and Sadie both seemed to find energy and joy everyday. I didn't have children then, so they were my "in" into village life. They got to go to restaurants with us and out us as Americans with their bad behavior. I mean really. No self-respecting German dog would lie in the MIDDLE of the floor just so that they could lie on the rug. They went to Italy and France. They even got to see Montepuciano (where New Moon was filmed) before it was cool.
I knew that coming back to Texas would be the end of them both. First, they are old. I am pretty realistic on that point. Secondly, Sadie seems to wilt in the heat and Jasmine freaks from storms. Texas has a lot of both. I felt so bad taking them out of paradise into hell. But to pay for those sky-rocketing vet bills, hubby needed to keep his job. (Ask me about the difference in vet bills another time. CRAZY!) So here we are: Facing the end of life, either tomorrow or in the next couple of years. These dogs have taught me a lot and they continue to do so. I fear my parents' aging. I fear my own. I have seen a glimpse of it and it is not pretty (sorry Sadie). May I find strength and grace to face it.
Good Luck Sadie Dog. I hope I see you again tomorrow!
ETA-June 14, 2006
After 2 months of doing well, Sadie developed ulcerated masses on her suture spot. As of today, we are still fighting that and hoping she will heal.
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