On Saturday, April 14, at about noon, Sadie Sue Shagbottom passed away.
With a very heavy heart, I bid good-bye to my best friend today. She arrived in my life a hot mess and left the same way, tearing off a piece of my heart as she went. She was the best dog ever.
After the new year, she started slowing down and the white in her face increased. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for her eight years. Until last Sunday, I didn’t think much of it. I scheduled her appointment for shots, but told them this morning things had turned. Blood tests and X-rays revealed a mass. It had metastasized from her spleen into her lungs. My boo is gone. I’m wrecked. How do I go on without such an integral part of my life?
My hope is Max was there to greet her. Maybe some other puppy friends. She passed quickly and peacefully. I spent her last moments thanking her and telling her I loved her.
Life goes on despite the nightmare come true. She slept on my bed last night, and that was our last night. I spent the early morning cuddling her. That was our last. I gave her many kisses and hard hugs to send her on. I thanked her. I told her I loved her over and over.
Somehow, her passing in my arms, being at her side, helps. The frightening inevitable has come. A day later, as I write this, I am nauseated and suffering headaches and leg pain. Depression is for real. I will heal, with time. The important thing is to feel it and unpack it, and get moving again. She would not want me to be upset. My tears always gave her unease.
For a brief moment, I was truly blessed. Love you, Shagbottom. Your Theater will go on. Good bye, my darling girl. Until we meet again.
Sadie is survived by her mom, Katie, Nonna and Poppy, her aunt Rachel, and cousins Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Sadie Sue Shagbottom will be remembered always.
