Woman's Best Friend

Leah and Sandy

Leah and Sandy

Kiersten and Sandy...She was always close by because Bug would feed her.  

Keeping watch over Hattie in her crib. It was a favorite napping spot.

She only weighed 6 pounds when she captured my heart.

Bare with me because this might be long. How do you sum up over 15 years of friendship. She's been with me my entire adult life. And then this morning, for the first time in as long as I can remember, she wasn't keeping watch from the side of my bed. Oh, she had a dog bed. And from time to time she would actually lay in it. But never for very long. She preferred being next to me, my Sandy Girl.

I still remember August 2002...found left for dead in a box. We took you to the vet, and wondered if you would survive...but you did. You started out in a friends home, but it was obvious you were going to end up with me. You loved being with Neo. You would climb all over that mountain of a Aussie-Husky and he would let you. You would nip at his ears and he never nipped back. You were fast friends. For a time, I let you sleep up near my pillow. I knew you would whimper and let me know when you needed to go out. You grew and you thrived and I enjoyed almost every minute of it. I didn't enjoy all the chewed on shoes. Back then I was a manager at Fazoli's and clearly pasta with marinara was a favorite of yours.

Those ended up being some dark days in my life too. You protected me from an abusive husband who was all too happy to abuse you too. You brought me comfort and joy and once we separated and I was trying to put my life back together you were there. All too happy to jump on the bed and sleep on my feet. You'd wake me at night, the jangle of your tags as you adjusted yourself or hopped on and off of the bed. And then you helped me start over in Arizona. That was quite the adjustment. There was no grass. You weren't quite sure of the rocks and dust. You'd roll around in it and then come in a shake it off...there would be a cloud. Just as if you were Pig Pen from the Peanuts Gang.

When we moved to Champaign for grad school I had a new roomate lined up, Ellen. She wasn't much of a dog person, but you changed that. She would leave her door cracked open and you would push it with your nose so you could sleep with her too. I think it was your mothering instinct. Always wanting to be close by and provide comfort. You were skeptical when Mitch came around. Always friendly to him, but then unwilling to give up your spot on the bed. Even after we were married and living in New Jersey you would wedge yourselves between us in the queen bed, always close to my legs and feet. Eventually you gave up your spot, but would still jump up in the morning after Mitch would leave for work. For the last year you haven't been able to jump on the bed. But you kept watch at my side. Every time I would wake to use the restroom in the middle of the night I would have to tap around to make sure I didn't step on you. I wonder if I'll do that still. Old habits die hard.

I remember when we were expecting Leah. Gigi was so worried that you would be aggressive to the new baby. But you were anything but. Always so gentle to them. They could pull on your ears or tail and you never minded. You would follow them around as they learned to crawl and then walk. Always waiting for them to drop something from their lidded snack cups. I think you loved your people fiercely. And I promise you, girl...we loved you fiercely too. I know that Neo is waiting for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. What a reunion that will be. Someday we'll be together again.

~But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10