Sadie Cunningham
2005 - 2019
I really want people to know that blind dogs lead happy, full lives. My Sadie never felt sorry for herself despite having her eyes removed, her decade of blindness, and her many years of living with debilitating arthritis and other medical issues. She had a zest for life unlike any that I have ever seen. Sadie could hear a butterfly flying, and follow its movements. She could chase squirrels and mice, and snap up bumble bees with the best of them. She loved to smell flowers, and whatever it was that she scented on the wind. She could hear a candy wrapper or a food bag being opened from a mile away. She never missed a thing. Sadie “looked” at everything that was new or different to her, or in the house. I could take her to a new hotel or rearrange a room, and then knock on things to “show” her where things were, and Sadie made a mental map in her head by pacing it 2 or 3 times and then remembered it. When out walking, she was so sure footed and fearless that people did not even notice that she was blind! She absolutely loved the ocean, car rides, and walks, and the silly games that I made up to play with her. She especially loved for me to sing to her. When she was younger, and after she was blind, I would keep clapping my hands and tell her to run to me across a field or a parking lot—and she did! Full tilt and unable to see, Sadie ran! She had complete faith and trust in me. And Sadie remembered people and places that she loved, no matter how many years intervened.
Sadie taught me to live every moment to the fullest, and to see others with my heart and not my eyes. She loved me so completely. I truly believe that she lived for me. Even after 14 years, I could not see that she was ready to go until I loved her enough to finally release her. Sadie is the greatest blessing that I ever received. I could not ask for a truer friend or a more steadfast companion. Sadie was, and is, pure Love. God promised that Love endures all things. For that reason, I know that I will see Sadie again someday. She is my beautiful, steadfast angel. She led me through some of the most difficult years of my life. I believe that Sadie will come for me when my own days are done- perhaps when I, too, am weary, aching, old, and gray… but she will come to me with legs that can run; with eyes that can see; and with a body that can once again do amazing twists and flips. She will be there, pain free, and with that smile that I already miss so much, to lead me on that journey to be with her in Heaven, always. Sadie is as close as my heartbeat, and only a single breath away… but oh, how dearly she is loved and missed. She will always be “my Sweetest Chickpea, my Little Sadie Bug, the Most Wonderful and Best Puppy There Ever Was in the Whole Wide World.”