Sadie was our next door neighbor; a black lab mix who was the same age as Princess, and a couple years older than Dee Dee. When Princess was still a puppy, the two of them would chase each other around and around my garage, the path worn bare beneath them. Princess was the chaser and Sadie was the chasee. Princess never stood a chance, but it didn't keep her from trying. They had so much fun.
Then Dee Dee entered our lives and gave everyone a run for their money. Sadie's gentle lab temperament was put to the test many a time, as Dee Dee fought to be top-dog. There were a few occasions where Sadie put her in her place, but over time they became great pals. Dee Dee would run to greet Sadie, her butt wagging as only a corgi-butt can wag. She'd jump up and kiss Sadie's face and then roll over in a submissive posture. I saw that sequence play out hundreds of times and it always intrigued me.
Mike and Gina have a great bay window and nearly every day Sadie would sit there around 5:30 and wait for me to come home. When she saw my car round the corner, she'd run to the back door and bark. Gina would let her out, and by the time I pulled into my driveway she was standing on my front porch. I didn't need an interpreter to understand what she wanted. "Can the girls come out and play?" My girls did the same. I would be in working in some part of the house, and suddenly they would start barking and come looking for me. I knew 'that bark'. Sadie was outside and they wanted to go play.
Over the years, we dog-sat when Mike and Gina had to be gone, and those were the only times Sadie wasn't glad to see us. Her world was upset, and she paced the driveway, waiting for them to come home. The joy in her eyes was gone, and she didn't want to play. As soon as Mom and Dad returned, she was back to her old self!
Recent years brought two bouts of Lyme Disease and a steady decline in her health. On Friday, October 5th, it was time to say goodbye. A few days before that, we took some final pictures on my front porch. It is hard to come home and see Mike working in the yard without Sadie by his side. We miss her. RIP sweet Sadie.
Then Dee Dee entered our lives and gave everyone a run for their money. Sadie's gentle lab temperament was put to the test many a time, as Dee Dee fought to be top-dog. There were a few occasions where Sadie put her in her place, but over time they became great pals. Dee Dee would run to greet Sadie, her butt wagging as only a corgi-butt can wag. She'd jump up and kiss Sadie's face and then roll over in a submissive posture. I saw that sequence play out hundreds of times and it always intrigued me. 
Mike and Gina have a great bay window and nearly every day Sadie would sit there around 5:30 and wait for me to come home. When she saw my car round the corner, she'd run to the back door and bark. Gina would let her out, and by the time I pulled into my driveway she was standing on my front porch. I didn't need an interpreter to understand what she wanted. "Can the girls come out and play?" My girls did the same. I would be in working in some part of the house, and suddenly they would start barking and come looking for me. I knew 'that bark'. Sadie was outside and they wanted to go play. 
Over the years, we dog-sat when Mike and Gina had to be gone, and those were the only times Sadie wasn't glad to see us. Her world was upset, and she paced the driveway, waiting for them to come home. The joy in her eyes was gone, and she didn't want to play. As soon as Mom and Dad returned, she was back to her old self! 
