Even before we got her, I knew what she would look like and we, as a family, had even decided on her name. Because she was going to be a sandy color and we live near the beach we decided that Sandy was the ideal name. It really didn't take a whole lot of debate, which is a rarity in this home! And then when we saw her - I knew. She was small enough that she almost fit in the palm of my hand and as I held her, I looked in those big, brown eyes and she calmly looked back. We shared a moment.
And it is that moment that I keep remembering as today creeps slowly by - knowing that my dear, sweet Sandy will not be with this family or on this earth much longer. I am relishing that moment - it was the beginning. We have had a couple similar moments today - when I have been petting her and she looks up at me with the same love and loyalty I've cherished for seven years. We learned this morning that she has cancer - and has likely had it for some time. The vet, Dr. Jim, was compassionate as he handed me the box of tissues and softly explained that there were three options for Sandy - we could send her to an oncologist, or try to keep her comfortable for the time she has left or we could put her down. Having just go down the cancer treatment path with John, I knew how grueling it would be physically on an already weakened dog. And I wasn't prepared to make the last choice because the family needed to say goodbye.
The second choice meant coming home and sharing the news. Which I've done. And I have cried - like I don't remember crying in a very long time.
So, now I want to write some of my precious memories of Sandy - our funny, furry four-legged friend. Because, I will need these memories to keep her alive in my mind for many years to come.
The day we picked her up and brought her home in a laundry basket. John had gone to a pet store the day before to get all the supplies we were going to need and the kids and I were so excited to bring her home. The breeder's was about a 40 minute drive and we pulled over twice thinking she needed to 'poop' - but it was only her 'bottom burping'!
Those stinky burps were an omen of what was to come because Sandy has always been a prolific and room-clearing farter!
There was the time were all in the van and being followed by two or three loud Harleys. Sandy kept barking at them - until finally John had to pull off the road so the motorcycles could pass and our journey could continue a little more quietly. And yet another car trip, we went over the rumble strips in a construction zone and she began to shiver and whine!
Let's not forget chasing flashlights! We can't even pull a flashlight out of the cupboard without her chasing us around, wagging her tail expectantly waiting to chase that beam of light! It has always been interesting when we have had power outages.
We were told that a puppy needs to be socialized so we tried trips to the dog park only to have our timid pup linger by our sides avoiding the other dogs and nearly begging to go home.
Or the time we left her at a kennel and as we were pulling out of our parking spot next to the kennel, we see Sandy's paws and enough of her head to see her eyes watching us pull away. All she has ever wanted was to be with us - her family.
If she ever sees the van - she would chase the van until I stopped, opened the door and let her in; there were many trips for Sandy and I up the driveway and into the garage! If she just hears me utter - "I'm going . . .", "I have to go ..." or anything similar she is up and looking hopefully my way. She loves picking up the buddies. And when I get home from the grocery store - she loves to help bring in the groceries and sits expectantly by her bag of food.
I have to go get a tissue and take a break . . . the screen is getting blurry and my nose is running.
How she loves Aunt Kerri and spending the nights crowding Kerri (and sometimes poor Mark) on the inflatable mattress! She follows Kerri with complete and total adoration.
Sandy gets depressed when she sees a suitcase because time has shown her that it means someone is abandoning her. Once when we were loading the van for a family trip - Sandy snuck out of the house and jumped into the open van. She sat as far from us as she could get - though looking defiantly at us as if to say "You're not leaving me behind - not this time!" When we return from an extended absence, she cries and whines and carries on.
Sandy always seems to know when it's time for the kids to get home from school. And she seems to understand that while Michael is gone, he is coming back to her eventually.
There have been a few occasions when Sandy will come tearing up onto the deck - with one of Bailey's toys in her mouth. And she will play the squeaker-toy game with her cousin Lizzie for days on end.
She will sit closely by as I cry and never tell a soul my secrets.
As John gets ready to go for a walk, she watches and waits - looking at him, pleading with him - please, please take me. And then as they walk down the driveway, she looks so proud to be walking with her master. Such a beautiful memory that one . . .
We used to drive to Oval Beach in the off-season and I would just come to a stop and open the van door and Sandy would flee scattering the sea gulls. The stupid birds would land a short ways down the beach and she would take off and scatter them again. This would go on for the longest time. I love to watch her romp in the lake.
There will be many more Sandy memories that I will recall in the coming weeks as we say goodbye to a dear, loving loyal family member. I just need to sign off now so that I can go cuddle with my most loyal puppy - there won't be many more chances.
And it is that moment that I keep remembering as today creeps slowly by - knowing that my dear, sweet Sandy will not be with this family or on this earth much longer. I am relishing that moment - it was the beginning. We have had a couple similar moments today - when I have been petting her and she looks up at me with the same love and loyalty I've cherished for seven years. We learned this morning that she has cancer - and has likely had it for some time. The vet, Dr. Jim, was compassionate as he handed me the box of tissues and softly explained that there were three options for Sandy - we could send her to an oncologist, or try to keep her comfortable for the time she has left or we could put her down. Having just go down the cancer treatment path with John, I knew how grueling it would be physically on an already weakened dog. And I wasn't prepared to make the last choice because the family needed to say goodbye.
The second choice meant coming home and sharing the news. Which I've done. And I have cried - like I don't remember crying in a very long time.
So, now I want to write some of my precious memories of Sandy - our funny, furry four-legged friend. Because, I will need these memories to keep her alive in my mind for many years to come.
The day we picked her up and brought her home in a laundry basket. John had gone to a pet store the day before to get all the supplies we were going to need and the kids and I were so excited to bring her home. The breeder's was about a 40 minute drive and we pulled over twice thinking she needed to 'poop' - but it was only her 'bottom burping'!
Those stinky burps were an omen of what was to come because Sandy has always been a prolific and room-clearing farter!
There was the time were all in the van and being followed by two or three loud Harleys. Sandy kept barking at them - until finally John had to pull off the road so the motorcycles could pass and our journey could continue a little more quietly. And yet another car trip, we went over the rumble strips in a construction zone and she began to shiver and whine!
Let's not forget chasing flashlights! We can't even pull a flashlight out of the cupboard without her chasing us around, wagging her tail expectantly waiting to chase that beam of light! It has always been interesting when we have had power outages.
We were told that a puppy needs to be socialized so we tried trips to the dog park only to have our timid pup linger by our sides avoiding the other dogs and nearly begging to go home.
Or the time we left her at a kennel and as we were pulling out of our parking spot next to the kennel, we see Sandy's paws and enough of her head to see her eyes watching us pull away. All she has ever wanted was to be with us - her family.
If she ever sees the van - she would chase the van until I stopped, opened the door and let her in; there were many trips for Sandy and I up the driveway and into the garage! If she just hears me utter - "I'm going . . .", "I have to go ..." or anything similar she is up and looking hopefully my way. She loves picking up the buddies. And when I get home from the grocery store - she loves to help bring in the groceries and sits expectantly by her bag of food.
I have to go get a tissue and take a break . . . the screen is getting blurry and my nose is running.
How she loves Aunt Kerri and spending the nights crowding Kerri (and sometimes poor Mark) on the inflatable mattress! She follows Kerri with complete and total adoration.
Sandy gets depressed when she sees a suitcase because time has shown her that it means someone is abandoning her. Once when we were loading the van for a family trip - Sandy snuck out of the house and jumped into the open van. She sat as far from us as she could get - though looking defiantly at us as if to say "You're not leaving me behind - not this time!" When we return from an extended absence, she cries and whines and carries on.
Sandy always seems to know when it's time for the kids to get home from school. And she seems to understand that while Michael is gone, he is coming back to her eventually.
There have been a few occasions when Sandy will come tearing up onto the deck - with one of Bailey's toys in her mouth. And she will play the squeaker-toy game with her cousin Lizzie for days on end.
She will sit closely by as I cry and never tell a soul my secrets.
As John gets ready to go for a walk, she watches and waits - looking at him, pleading with him - please, please take me. And then as they walk down the driveway, she looks so proud to be walking with her master. Such a beautiful memory that one . . .
We used to drive to Oval Beach in the off-season and I would just come to a stop and open the van door and Sandy would flee scattering the sea gulls. The stupid birds would land a short ways down the beach and she would take off and scatter them again. This would go on for the longest time. I love to watch her romp in the lake.
There will be many more Sandy memories that I will recall in the coming weeks as we say goodbye to a dear, loving loyal family member. I just need to sign off now so that I can go cuddle with my most loyal puppy - there won't be many more chances.
I loved that Sandy dog and have many fond memories; missing shoes, waking me up in the morning,her greeting when I arrived, etc. My fondest memory is Sandy and I running together. And the biggest run of all....Sandy and the squirrel and Grandma's trip to the Holland Hospital ER. Yes Sandy, you are filed away in my fondest memory book!!! Happy Puppy heaven!
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