Sadie's Choice

[I was a stray!]

It was the Summer of 2009 and Bud and I were sailing along just fine, just the two of us.  I had been laid off and at the age of 58 and was unable to find a job.  He worked full-time and after months of looking, he said "Well, don't worry about it.  Just stay home and take care of things here."  So I did.  One day we noticed this little dog on our neighbors porch. The man tried to shoo her away and kicked at her.  She snapped at him.  Well, wouldn't you if somebody kicked at you?  She left his porch and we thought she probably went home or went to try to find home. The neighbors had called Animal Control and they put a dog trap out in their yard.  She must have sensed that it wasn't a good thing.  She stayed away from it. 

Well, the next day she was on our porch.  We didn't kick at her or try to run her off. She stayed on the far side of the porch.  That night a storm came through with thunder and lightning.  She tried to crawl under our cheap little plastic chairs out there to get away from it.  I felt so sorry for her.  Bud went to work the next morning and when the sun came up I saw she was still there.  I took her some food scraps and water out and put it down for her.  She was so skinny and hungry. I was a little afraid of her, being a strange dog.  That evening as Bud and I sat on the porch, this little dog walked across the porch, right up to me and laid her head on my knee. I was a little frightened, but she looked up at me with those sweet, trusting eyes and my heart just melted.  I looked at Bud with tears in my eyes and said,  "I have never had a dog take to me like this one."  He got a little teary-eyed, too.  He loves dogs.  Sadie was afraid of him, at first. I petted her and talked soft to her.

We tried to imagine what her life must have been like before she took refuge on our porch.  She was really underweight and had some sores and scabs on her.  Nothing serious, but whatever caused them may have left some emotional scars with her.  We think she may have been abandoned and possibly abused by a man.  That's why she didn't take to Bud at first.  He kept talking sweet and gentle to her trying to win her over.

We kept an eye on her hoping she wouldn't get trapped.  Bud came home one day and the animal control people were trying to catch her.  He told them to leave her alone and we'd take care of her.  He let her in the house...to my screeches, "You can't let that dog in HERE!".  But, he did anyway...MEN! Lol! They told us that we could take care of her, but if we didn't turn her in after 10 days, or no one claimed her, she would be considered our dog and we would be responsible for her.  Bud said, "OK." 

No one came looking for her, so we adopted her...oops, I mean SHE adopted US.  We absolutely fell in love with her.  She gradually warmed up to Bud and now she watches for him to come home every day.  He gives her the belly scratches and she LOVES him! 

We made sure she got her shots and heart worm treatments, give her regular baths, keep her claws trimmed and give her lots of love♥.  She and I go for walks every day...weather and health permitting.  We fenced in our backyard for her to do her "job" and to get some exercise and fresh air.  She likes to 'try' to catch squirrels, but they're a tad to fast for her. We take her to a local dog park once a week to just run free and roam around. She's an indoor girl and was already house trained and will "sit" when told to.

Sadie loves American cheese, Meaty Bones, and Milk Bones.  She has only one toy that she pays any attention to.  That is a small teddy bear that occasionally she'll bring to Bud when he gets home from work.  She puts it down in front of him like she's sharing something special with him.  So cute!

She is very territorial and protective of us.  I have to make sure she's in the backyard when company comes.  This is a little bit of a problem, but so far we've managed okay.  We're afraid she will bite someone.  I guess with all she went through with abusive parents before us, she doesn't want anyone to mess with us. I feel a little safer with her here when Bud has to work the late shift, too.  She's a sweet little girl with us, though.

So, you see, we didn't choose Sadie...We were Sadie's choice.  But we wouldn't trade our little fat girl for anything in the world!

Sadie watching over Bud as he naps

[Gladys Rydbom]

Thank you for telling us this very special story as it has realy touched my heart. Thank you for letting this precious little Sadie to adopt you. There is no love deeper than the love of a little dog that has been abused and then loved by someone like you that has rescued her from an unkind world. I know as I have a sweet precious little Shipoo named Katie that is laying by my chair as I am typing this note to you. It has taken Katie quite a while to trust my husband but now she has learned to trust him and it is so beautiful to watch the bond that is growing between them. We have another Shipoo named Harley that came from a loving home and he watches over her as if he knows what she has been through. I do believe we have been blessed by our little Katie and you are blessed by your precious Sadie and her love for you. Spell Dog backwards and then you will realize who sent little Sadie to you. May you be blessed by her love that is endless. God Bless You Always. Gladys

[Wanda P]

Awe Sweet Sadie, she knew keepers when she found them!! :) Two of the most generous souls I have EVER met on line!! Thanks for sharing with us, in Canada especially in the city, strays r picked up quickly, how ever we have a very high license rate 85% for dogs, getting better for cats to. With the poor winter weather a dog or cat can die quickly, if they are seen, loose, I usually catch them, keep them in my yard until mom and dad come screaming down the street! I have had this happen for me when Lelo got out two summers ago, twice, she got out and a good neighbor brought her back, so it does come around!!! Rescue a loose dog, re home a stray, or adopt!!! <3

[Regina D.-PBP Event Admin]

Beautiful teary eye story. Thanks for sharing. Would like to see her picture. 

[Wanda P]

Sadie's Mommy is suffering from a back injury, I will ask her to post a picture, if u go to her page there r some in photos? I think!

[Regina D.-PBP Event Admin]

Thanks Wanda. 

[Regina D.-PBP Event Admin]

Saw the dog picture on her page. She said it's a Basenji. I had a friend years ago that owned one. They are delightful dogs and well mannered. They can't bark though. 

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

Very touching story dogs are very  special the ways they come into our lives may vary but the love we have for our fourlegged Family members is just as Heart felt as the love with have for our Family members. In fact for some of us they are Family. I have four greyhounds I like almost all dogs love the sighthound Group and in particular the greyhound.I have found two of my greyhounds via the internet one was free to good home the other was for sale for a mere pittance of his worth.I have them in my life and never want other breeds Yes I have had sighthounds since 1986 She was my very first greyhound her name was Niki she was very special to me and I loved her. She died of organ failure back in 1993 eight years and 11 months old. I do miss her now and Again she was lovely. I have had whippets for a number of years in fact since 1987 I lost my last whippet on October 18 2012 a month and a half later my newest greyhound Chris came home for good. I have no regrets and have been very Lucky with my four greyhounds.