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.
Jessi says
My heart hurts so much for you and your family. Sadie was the luckiest girl in the world felt it every day for 13 years <3
Sarah says
This is a beautiful post. We lost our Vizsla Sophie when she was 7 to cancer too. Sophie was actually born within a week of Sadie I think:). We have another Vizsla Owen who is 13.5 too. When Sophie died we were all devastated and I know how heartbreaking this time is especially because Sadie was a part of your family. I am so sorry but I hope you can find comfort in knowing you all gave Sadie a wonderful life. Her passing makes me sad too because I feel like I know her from reading your blog and following you on Instagram. ❤️❤️
Ruthie says
What a beautiful remembrance. Sending you all love and peace. Sadie was lucky to have you all and you her.
Carly says
Sending you SO MUCH love in this heartbreaking time. My heart just aches for you because I know all too well the grief and loss you are experiencing. This post was absolutely beautiful! It brought me to tears as your love for Sadie mirrors so much the relationship I had with my Lucy dog. Sadie will always be a part of your family even though she is not physically there. Keep her memories alive with your boys by looking at pictures, telling stories of her, and watching videos you have. They will love it and it will be so fun when they bring up memories of Sadie that will just warm your heart when you least expect it. Hugs,
Joanna says
So sorry for your loss. 🙏 Beautifully written for a beautiful loving Sadie. Hugs to you and the family.
Laura Miller says
My heart breaks for you and your family as you grieve the loss of Sadie. Praying that each day goes by you never forget her but the heartache becomes less and less. She will always be a member of your family, even when she is gone, and love seeing all of her photos from a pup to a sweet old lady. Many prayers and hugs from CA.
Kristine says
Hugs ❤️
Vicki says
Your post shows that Sadie truly had the most amazing life ever, with such a loving family.
Lots of love
Karen Levin says
I am so sorry… I am here crying my heart out. Such a beautiful tribute. We too lost our Weim of 13.5 years. Our 5 year old Weim still misses him dearly… somehow the little doodle could not replace our dear Mr. Milo. Hugs and much love.
HMH says
Beautiful!
Thank you for this….you see I loss my Sami of 16 years last week.
GOD bless you and your lovely family.
HMH says
Beautiful!
Thank you for this….you see I loss my Sami of 16 years last week.
GOD bless you and your lovely family.
Kary says
So sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are always a part of our hearts.
Kim says
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful companion! Sending good thoughts and prayers for God to comfort you as only He can during these days
Anna says
Losing a beloved dog is the very worst. So much love and hugs to all of you 🧡
Rhonda says
So so sorry.
Becky says
So sorry for y’all’s loss!!
It is SO hard!!!
Sadie was family and will be always be in your heart!!
Know that she had a Wonderful life as a member of your Sweet family!!
Praying for you all!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Claire says
So sorry to hear this. Hugs to you and your family. Sadie has been a part of your blog as long as I have been reading it, and I immediately recognized a dog that moved into our neighborhood as a vizsla because of all of your posts about her. You gave her a wonderful life.
Nyssa says
I am so sorry Julie. Sending love and hugs and prayers your way <3
rachel says
:'(
Erika says
I am so sorry. That was a beautiful post ❤️
Robyn says
I had a black lab pass from the same cancer (spleen). I’m swallowing a huge lump in my throat now reading your beautiful post as I think of Lucy (the black lab) and more recently, we lost our 13+ yo Weimaraner in October. It’s amazing how dogs are literally a part of the family. Praying for you and your family that you’ll hurt less each day and remember all these sweet things about your Sadie.
Carrie says
<3
Mare Benioff says
What a heart-warming tribute to your furbaby. She is beautiful and I cried through the whole article as we just put one of dogs down too. I feel your pain. You gave her a wonderful, active and loving life and she returned that with unconditional love and devotion. What more can you ask for except for our furbabies to live a longer, happier life? If we could only do that we all would! This is the only heartbreaking part of owning a pet…letting them go. You will always carry your beautiful Sadie in your heart, that love never, ever ends. My deepest condolences. May God bless you and your family. Mare
Taylor says
Sadie touched a lot of hearts, including mine. I’m so so very sorry for the loss of your beloved friend. The pain of losing a dog is uniquely heartbreaking, as they have a way of knowing us so intimately. I’ve read your blog since almost the very beginning, and I cried a lot of tears over this news. I’ve lost two dogs of my own, and I can promise that the pain softens and changes into deep lasting gratitude. A quote that resonates to me – “there are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains”. Sadie’s light will be with you always. Many blessings to your family.