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compassion, creatures, grace, Higher Power, last day on earth, meister eckhart, miracles, pets, sweet Sadie, unbridled joy, unconditional love, word of God
“Brief is life but love is long” ~ Tennyson
Just a few months after Dallis and I were married in May of 2003, Sadie entered our lives as a very small bundle of furry affection. For nearly eight-and-a-half years, our little girl worked her magic and stole our hearts! It’s hard to overstate the power of unconditional love.
Whatever challenges life brought our way, she was always there to greet us with unbridled joy! I’ll let you in on a secret – joy is contagious. So is love. Herein lies the greatest gift I believe our pets give us – their stubborn devotion to us in ways that make us want to be better, more giving and whole human beings.
If we had known on Sadie’s last day on earth this past Monday that it was her last day, what would we have done?
We would have done her very favorite things – a long walk among the evergreens in Waller Park and then perhaps lunch on the patio at Novo Restaurant overlooking the creek in San Luis Obispo. As a special treat we would have invited some family to join us in simply enjoying this beautiful world together one last time. If we had known…
Do you believe in miracles?
Some of you are nodding yes. Or you may be among the skeptics. I wasn’t sure myself.
I think God uses ordinary people and situations to communicate God’s timeless message – Love wins! God uses other creatures too. Meister Eckhart once wrote: “Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God.”
Most people seldom open a Bible – it’s daunting, problematic, and not above serious criticism. However most people, if they see a kindness done, a blessing offered, a hurt forgiven, a relationship valued, or a love unconditionally shared, will at least entertain the possibility that a Higher Power or a Deeper Compassion or a Stronger Grace than any of us reveals to us how to live in life-affirming ways with one another.
You see we did not know that it was Sadie’s last day when we took her on a long walk in Waller Park among the evergreens.
We did not know it was her last day when we brought her with us to have lunch at her favorite eating establishment overlooking the creek.
And we did not know it was her last day when Dallis’ sister Lori and brother-in-law Alec and my daughter Hannah came to have lunch with us before heading back home and to college hours away.
Sadie could not possibly have dreamed up a better day than all of that!
Lastly, I never remember to bring my camera places. This day, inexplicably, I did bring it with me to lunch, and after lunch we took a few photos creek-side. These are the last pictures we have of our sweet Sadie with some of those she showered with love.
Consider me a believer!
dreamprayact 
Sadie was a beautiful story and a beautiful life. She was blessed to have come to your hearts and home.
Yes, Kathy, she was. Thanks for your caring.
Beautifully expressed, Mark’ I am so saddened by the idea that she has moved on, but what a wonderful life and beautiful last day….Hugs to you & Dallis. Sadie will be a part of you forever….
Thank you, Mary. I’m glad you were able to meet her when you visited us. She was a special “little girl.”
Mark,
Such Beautiful words for a special little love that found her way into your life. I am sure Sadie was just as blessed to have your love as you were to have hers. ❤ Hugs and Prayers for you and Dallis<3
Thank you, Sandra. We were so blessed.
I had a hard day at work and you made me cry. I have always enjoyed all the pics of Sadie, I am thankful that you and Dal had her in your lives. Right now I am having a glass of wine in her honor!
Love wins…
Thanks, Cathy. She was a lover, and we miss her.
Tulip is wondering why Mommy is crying. This was a beautiful tribute, Mark. I love the photos too. I’m going to miss her so much.
She loved you, Wendy. We’ll see you before too long and collect some hugs.
What a wonderful story and beautiful pictures. She always made me smile! 🙂 God touches us in sooo…many ways!
Hugs,
Marian
You’re right, Marian. Thanks for your words.
Love is long, life is short. It’s like the essence of sadness. Thank God we are able to move forward finally in our own way and time. Shirley and I continue grieve with you and also to rejoice that we had the opportunity to be with Sadie in your home. She was a joy and a blessing, and she always will be.
We appreciate your care and support, Steve. I’m glad you and Shirley got to spend an evening getting to know her.
That WAS a nice day, wasn’t it? What a shock to find out it would be her last….
She enjoyed her bread and fellowship, just as we enjoyed her company. What a little sweetie!
Yep, it couldn’t have been better. I’m glad you and Alec and Hannah were there.
Oh the joy that Sadie brought! Tears are running like rain down my face as I remember other times with you three. What a beautiful message, Mark, done with such love! Thank you….. and sending love to you and Dal.
Thank you Dianne. I especially remember our time together at one of Sadie’s other favorite places … Pacific Grove!
I didn’t have the joy of knowing Sadie personally, but I enjoyed every photo. I have several fur family members of my own and love them like my children. Your loss has been felt so strongly by me and I dread the day I must say goodbye to any of mine.
Sadie was so blessed to be loved, cared for, and enjoyed by your family. The separation is painful but the memories of your happy life will live on.
Bless the two of you.
Deanna
We appreciate your thoughts and blessing, Deanna. It hurts terribly to lose her, but we were so blessed to have her in our lives. She was such a little lover!
What a wonderful essay, Mark. That’s my idea of a powerful sermon. I don’t know if what you wrote is helping you any, but it sure does help me! Love IS never wasted, and that is one certainty among my many doubts that indeed makes me think that a Stronger Grace may preside over our ephemeral, tissue paper existences. Those existences are mighty short for humans, and extra mighty, painfully short for our cherished animals. I live in hope that a Stronger Grace did not make us, or any of God’s creatures, for nothing. A
I agree with you … love is never wasted! Thanks for reading and commenting, Ann. We keep thinking about Sadie and talking about her and remembering all the beautiful little ways she touched our lives.
Your tibute to Sadie was thoughtful and touching. I only saw her through pictures of Facebook but could there was a special love bond present. God bless you all.
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
I was so saddened to hear about Sadie. It’s so amazing to see those sweet pictures with you all and she is so full of life. It’s virtually impossible to think that that was her last day. Thankfully that is how we will remember her, full of life and love, you know she adored her favorite humans! I will never forget her singing to the piano at your house at one of our misfits dinners. I know how much joy these little creatures give us and I know that each day you are missing her sweet spirit. Know that I am thinking of you both daily! Hugs, Cynthia
Thank you, Cynthia. It was a very good last day, for which I am very grateful. We had been enjoying her presence to the fullest each day, because we really weren’t sure how much longer she would be with us. Thanks for thinking of us. We look forward to seeing you again sometime soon.
Dear Mark and Dally ( and family ),
First of all, I can hardly see to type. I am so sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to your little bundle of joy. Sadie had the best “last day” on Earth that anyone could ever hope for. For those who do not believe, how could God not have had a great hand in ALL of this….even jogging your own memory to remember to pick up your camera before leaving for that awesome day. : )
Sadie was beautiful. She reminded me so much of Dally. Sadie aged with grace and people would pay a small fortune to know her beauty secrets. Sadie looked like a young pup right till the end.
The joy that little dog….that little girl….brought to the lives of the people who loved her, there are not enough words to describe.
My heart aches for Dally and for you. She was your everything…and I am so sorry.
These little creatures of God.. enter our lives and we have no idea the deep hurt we are going to feel when he calls them back home. For literally months after my beloved kitty died, I heard him scurry here or there and I kept thinking I saw him in places he used to lay or curl up in his cozy position. Only for brief flashes….but I kind of like to think that was a good reminder of the very special time I was lucky enough to spend with him on Earth.
I will pray for your family and I know the sadness that is ahead. Sadie girl touched so many lives and most of us never had the pleasure of meeting her in person…..but we felt like we knew her inside, outside and upside down…to coin a phrase from Dr. Seuss. With your wonderful pictures, we saw Sadie’s life….her silly ways, her happy times and watched her be loved.
For that…..I say…..THANK YOU.
Thank you so much, Lisa. Your words ring true. She was loved and enjoyed every day of her life, even in her misbehaving moments, and we have very grateful hearts even in the midst of our sadness.
Hi Mark-I know Dallis (and Sadie and you too) through Flickr-I just wanted to show this is a beautiful essay-this and the next-so touching.
You both have my sympathies.
Thank you, Marg. We are grateful for all the kindnesses people have shown us.
This moves me to tears. I join you in singing out about miracles and being a believer. Indeed Sadie could not have had a better last day and may we all remember this wise lesson to enjoy every moment to the fullest and stay present. Every single moment is a gift.
Thank you Mark!
Hugs, Gina