She was there when we got engaged.
She was there when we got married.
She was there running after bears and boars on our hikes.
She was there flying off the boat and swimming her heart out during our lake days.
She was there when I found out I was pregnant.
She was there when I went into labor.
She was there when I came home from the hospital after two D&Cs and she was there when I miscarried at home. She provided me with more comfort than I could ever put into words. Dogs know.
She was there giving us the side-eye when we brought home yet another baby brother.
She was there, curled up in her dog bed in my office as I worked, serving as the best furry coworker in the world.
She was there on my bad days.
She was there on my good days.
She was there when we moved six different times, getting in the way, putting her butt on me while I packed boxes, and adjusting to our new homes like a champ.
She was there, pulling me along as I trained for my first half marathon. And she was there grabbing a tennis ball, begging me for a round of fetch 2.5 seconds after our 10 mile long training run.
She was there on every single walk, always trotting on the left side of the sidewalk or road. Her side.
She was there on our vacations.
She was there at the beach. Our little water dog.
She was there, shaking her ears and waking our babies.
She was there for endless rounds of fetch where watching her run and sprint was like watching sheer joy on four legs.
She was there, my forever best friend, when we moved to places where we didn’t know anyone.
She was there, refusing to sit or lie down on hard surfaces, waiting for a couch, bed, pillow, towel or blanket before she’d relax her little princess body.
She was there, standing at the top of our bed, staring at us, waiting for us to lift up the sheets so she could curl up underneath them to sleep with us every night.
She was there, a little grumpy in the mornings until she eased into the day.
She was there on my lap in the front seat of the car during every road trip.
She was there, pressing her warm body against mine when I climbed into bed with a book at the end of the day. She made reading at night with her against my belly one of my very favorite parts of every day.
She was there, standing in my office window, wiggling her body back and forth when she saw us drive up the driveway.
She was there, flying out of the house, whimpering her happy high-pitched whimper (and sometimes peeing a little!) when her favorite people came to visit.
She was there watching MilkBones and traditional dog treats drop to the floor whenever a kind person would try to reward her. Meat and cheese treats only for the princess, please.
She was there, always kicking our butts at the Hand Game.
She was there, sniffing us out on the trails when we’d take off and play hide-and-seek.
She was there, climbing up on top of my body every day, placing her face on my face in an effort to be as close as possible.
She was there, always making me feel better, the scent of her body and her warm presence helping me realize everything would be okay simply because she was there.
She was there, between me and Ryan, our perfect third wheel, the very best dog, for 13.5 years.
She was there. And then she wasn’t. But somehow she always will be because we will never forget our Sadie girl.
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Julie- So sorry for your loss ❤️🐶
I’m so sorry your the loss of your sweet Sadie.
I am so sorry, Julie. I pray you and your family are blanketed in the same comfort and peace you’ve given to Sadie. ❤️
I feel your pain.:-(
I lost my cocker spaniel at 13.5 years in October of last year. She was there and then she wasn’t….but she’s in my heart…a part of me…..ALWAYS!!
Julie, I am so sorry for your loss. This was a beautiful tribute to Sadie and made me cry. You will always have the memories and long time readers know how important she will always be in your life. I am thinking of you and sending you so much love.
So sorry for your loss yes your baby will never be forgotten I wish they could live forever!
💔💔💔💔💔💔. I know……..😭😭😭
I’m so sorry. 😢
Julie, I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet sucks. Sadie lived an incredible life with you and your family. She loved and was loved. Sending hugs to you all. ❤️
The sweetest tribute to the sweetest dog. Thinking about you and your family ❤️
Julie, I am so sorry. This was the first thing I looked at this morning when I got up. From your post yesterday it indicated that yesterday was going to be a sad day for your household. I totally get it about she was there for everything. I lost my husband three years ago am I girl has been with me ever cents. Always by my side. She’s getting older and I too can see the changes in her. I will be surprised if I have her at this time next year. I was just curious how are your kids doing with the loss of Sadie?
Julie, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Sadie. Sending love. ❤
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a dog is the hardest thing ever. Thinking of you and your family.
Aw
So well written. Made me cry because I’ve lost two dogs already. The best.
Thinking of you ❤️ your memories of her will always make you smile and you can always carry that with you and someday long from now when you go to heaven she’ll be waiting for you because I believe all dogs go to heaven!
This is so painful, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know she is in a better place now across the rainbow bridge making furry new friends and always watching over.
I’m so sorry. 💔 Forever could never be enough time with our favorite pups. They just fit into our lives seamlessly and it just seems like time goes far too quickly. But, the love they give could last 10 lifetimes and then some. Sending so many prayers up for your sweet family.
How lucky you are to have shared 13.5 years of life with her. What a gift. Hold onto the memories 💗
Gosh I am so sorry. Sitting here crying right now because every word you said is so true . They are always there until they are not . It is the most heartbreakingly beautiful love I have ever known .
So very sorry for your loss. She sounded like the best friend a person could ever have.
I’m so sorry Julie 😢 I lost my sadie, my best friend to cancer a year ago. Sadies are the best puppies. Sending love and prayers ❤️
I am so sorry to read this. I am thinking of you, Ryan and your sweet boys during this sad time. You gave her the very best life and were so gracious to her at the end.
I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose such a precious member of your family. What a lovely tribute. We’ll all miss reading about her as well. Hugs for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. Sweet Sadie. Gone but never forgotten.
Run cancer free Ms Sadie. Barley Cat will welcome you with open paws.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful pup life with us.
Sending love to the Fagan family.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” So very sorry for the loss of sweet Sadie.
Dear Julie, Ryan, Chase, Ryder and Rhett. I am so truly and deeply sorry for the loss of beautiful Sadie. Our animal friends bring so much joy into our lives but the hardest day is when they need to say goodbye and we need to let them go. My heart still yearns for my 13 year old cat who also let me know it was time 2 years ago. A good friend sent me this poem when I was grieving so deeply and I still read it often. I hope that it brings you some comfort too.
https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
My boys name was Oliver and I went out to the tree we spread his ashes under and told him a very special girl named Sadie has crossed the rainbow bridge and he should please show her around and hunt shadows with her, he said he would.
Sending you all lots of love and strength xx
I am so sorry to hear this; what a heart break. There is never enough time with our animals. We lost our first dog, our “she was there” for everything dog almost 2 years ago and I still miss, even if it feels different than the complete devastation in those weeks immediately after. Take care of yourself, and take your time.
This is beautiful. I’m so sorry 😢
Oh Julie, I’m so so sorry. What a special part of the family Sadie was. She was so loved and looked like she lived an amazing life with your family.
So sorry for you loss Julie! ❤️ Beautiful tribute to your girl. Fly high and watch over your family Sadie girl❤️
Your sweet Sadie will never be forgotten. So many precious memories will keep your heart filled.
I’m so very sorry for the immense loss you and Ryan are feeling today. Biggest hugs. Sending hugs to your boys as well, I’m sure this will be hard for them to understand.
Hold onto your precious moments with your girl. I’m so very sorry that you’re going through this gut-wrenching time.
I always loved reading about her, especially her birthday challenges 🙂. Sending lots of love to you & your family.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Years and years ago when you had the cutest puppy contest, we had submitted a pic of our V, Rush, who won. My wife follows your blog and always showed me pics and updates of Sadie. I’m giving rush an extra big hug now.
What a well loved dog and what a well loved family. lots of hugs.
Soo sorry, Fagan family. It is the worst pain and yet it’s so worth it and we’d do it over and over again. Be gentle with yourselves, the first days/weeks are so hard adjusting. I would sob seeing a tennis ball under a couch or an empty water bowl we didn’t know what to do with (we donated to SPCA!)
Someone gave us a frame when our dog passed with a pic of her that said ‘Thank you for everything. I had a great time'” and it made me cry! What a sentiment and probably so true. You’ll see her again someday and it will be the BEST reunion <3
I’m so sorry. She brought a lot of joy to the world and I know she’ll continue to bring smiles…through and after the tears.
I’m so sorry Julie. I remember when Sadie was just a pup on the blog. Sending love and hugs ❤️ 🤗
I am soo sorry to hear about Sadie’s passing… but what a life she lived having you all making her life the BEST it could have been. Big hugs to the Fagen family.
Julie, what an incredible tribute to the life of sweet, sweet Sadie. I remember so much about her life with you. I have been reading your blog FOR YEARS AND YEARS. My heart is going out to you and your entire family in a huge way. Sending SO much love to you Julie. XO
I am so sorry for your loss Julie – I am reading your blog for over 8 years now and have always admired your positive outlook on life, the way you take care of your loved ones and the way you carry yourself. Unfortunately I am all too familiar with grief (my dad passed away two years ago and it absolutely crushed me) so I can imagine how devastated and somewhat lost you must feel after losing Sadie who was such an important part of your life. I feel like people and animals we love dearly become a part of ourselves and our identity so how can you say goodbye to a part of yourself? It seems impossible but I hope that your strenghts will help you cope with the loss – you gave Sadie the best dog life possible, took care of her, loved her and created memories with her and your familiy that you can cherish forever. It is so hard but I feel like the only thing that helped me during the last two years is being thankful for the time we had together and shifting the focus away from a future without my dad to a past with him in it – full of love, laughter and unforgettable memories I take with me every day.
Lots of hugs from Germany,
(also a) Julie
It’s an ache that never fades 💔 but we are better humans because of the love these babies give us unconditionally. 9 years, 4 years, and 5 months have passed and yet I still feel their love, still smell their fur, and welcome the day we will be together again. My heart and thoughts are with you.
What a beautiful way to remember her ❤️ Rest In Peace sweet Sadie, you will be missed by so many
Julie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you. I have loved how Sadie has always been such an important part of your blog and always looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing of adventures with her. Wishing you comfort and hugs
I’m so so truly sorry for your loss. I know this has to be so hard on you and your family. I hope when the hurt goes away a little (b/c it’s never going to go away all the way) you guys think of her and it makes you smile so big with all the memories you shared with your sweet pup! Thinking of you and your family during this extremely hard time <3
I am so so sorry, Julie. One day y’all will love another dog again but it will never be with the same intensity as you loved Sadie. She was lucky to be your first baby. Sending y’all so much love and prayers for comfort and happy memories.
RiP you beautiful soul ♡♡♡
Breaking my heart reading this sweet, beautiful, special tribute to your precious Sadie! I’m so very sorry for your family’s loss. These are the absolute best pictures ever and capture what she meant to you all and what you meant to her as well. There was love all around! God bless you and comfort you all ❤️🙏🏼😢
I’m in tears. This is so beautiful, just like Sadie. I’m so sorry, Julie. Our dogs are truly the best. Thinking of you so much ❤️❤️❤️
What a beautiful tribute to a true princess among pups! Thank you for sharing her joyful life with us. We are here for you and your family in this grief.
This was beautifully written. Sadie lived the best life and was so lucky to be in your family. My fur baby is approaching the end of his almost 15 year life. It is very hard to imagine life without him in it. Thank you for sharing this well written tribute to Sadie. She will always be with you. 🤍
I am so sorry. So much love to you and the family
I am SOBBING. There are no words. I have so loved reading about Sadie and her adventures with you for so many years. I felt like I knew her. You gave her an amazing life and I’m just so, so sorry for toru loss. This was a beautiful tribute.
I am so sorry Julie. I’m a long time reader and have always loved reading about Sadie and her cute antics 💔