Sadie

I never meant to come home with a dog. Two years ago, while off on Thanksgiving holiday, I decided I was ready for a pet. I haven't had any animals since my divorce which was ten years ago. But, I knew I wanted a pet that was going to be easy to care for and not require more then a modicum of care. I was going to get a cat.

I remember entering the SPCA shelter and it had that peculiar odor that seems to be common place in animal shelters; a mixture of animal excrement and high anxiety pheromones. Not being familiar with the process I asked someone to show me around and tell me how it worked. After a brief discussion I was left to wander and see if any of the cats caught my attention. For whatever reason, they had an unusually low cat count on the day of my visit. Wandering, I walked by a small white pup in a cage that looked quite forlorn. I headed into the back just to visit quickly with the large dogs. I was getting ready to leave when I again walked by the little pup in a cage all by herself. Feeling sorry for her I asked if I could spend a little time with her. After they put her down in the free area where I was sitting she immediately peed. I thought ok we're off to a good start. But I could tell she was a nervous wreck and she was obviously sore after having been spayed the day before.

The volunteer at the shelter told me she had been brought in and was a mess. Her coat was matted, her teeth were in horrible shape and all she did was whimper the entire time. The SPCA did a great job of getting her cleaned up and medically cleared - all she needed now was a forever home. I almost was ready to get up and leave when the pup came over and laid her head down on my feet. It was all over then. I paid the adoption fee and brought her home. It was a little rough the first month she was with me, her anxiety was through the roof. But she eventually settled down and we are besties now.

Sadie dog, as I call her, is mostly toy poodle I believe. She might have a little something else mixed in there too but I don't know what. The shelter told me they thought she was around twelve years old. I find that hard to believe because when she wants she has the energy and spirit of a playful eight month old puppy. What I love about Sadie is she loves to be loved but only by me. She is still a bit fearful of strangers. She is a great defender of her home and nobody walks by without her warning bark. When I walk out back to the community pool, she sits in the window and watches over me until I come back. If you want to see her go full blown hysterical, ring the doorbell. She bellows and howls like there is an alien invasion. It's very amusing.

I admit there are times when I wished I had brought home a cat, especially when I need to plan to be away. She is really too high strung for the kennel so fortunately I have found a very loving young lady to stay with her when I need to go out of town. She also has developed some unusual food preferences. She won't eat her dry dog food unless I put some hard boiled egg on it or chopped up celery. Go figure.

Dogs are suppose to be good in that they make you get up and take them for walks. Not so much with Sadie and this is where her independent streak shows. She doesn't like going for walks although I try to get her out most days for her own health. When we are walking away from the house I am literally pulling her along. But as soon as we turn around the roles are reversed and she pulls me home. She is a very determined girl, at times bordering on stubborn.

What's really cool about her is how smart she is. I did not know this until I brought her home but apparently poodles are considered highly intelligent animals. I know that she recognizes certain words that I say and she is definitely a very fast learner. She has learned the rules of the house very quickly and I rarely have to reprimand with a sharp no!

Mostly though, she has contributed a piece to my life that I didn't know was missing until I brought her home. She is my companion, my company and I talk to her as if she were a roommate. She helps me solve my problems and if I'm having a bad day, she will sit on my lap and offer kisses until she feels that things are better. The angels blessed me when they brought us together. Sadie dog, I can't imagine life without you now.