The Reenactments of Sadie's Farewell

Nearly 9 months ago, we said good-bye to a dear family member of over 6 years......our miniature schnauzer, Sadie. No, she didn't die, she just moved out. Sadie and Maya were tight.  "Sadie" was even Maya's first word.  After Jude was born, the incessant barking, anal gland evacuation problems (TMI?? Sorry), wet/muddy paws on the floors, our desire for more independence, etc.....just got to be too much.  I, living on little sleep and already struggling to manage showering once every 4 days, decided that Miss Sadie just had to go.  Her barking was waking my baby, and when I was trying to nap during those naps, that led to one unhappy Mama.  We knew that separating Maya from Sadie was going to be a challenge, but we figured she'd either have to say farewell now or deal with her death at some point in her life, so we thought this would be the easiest.

We found a home for Sadie with a very kind, elderly woman in Bloomington.  She had recently lost her husband and needed companionship.  I was glad for Sadie to move to a home where she'd get all the attention she deserved.  The woman's name is Barb and I never knew that "Barb" was going to become such a household name around here.

Over the last 9 months, I've fielded many questions/comments about Sadie's situation. "Where is Sadie at?" "Will Sadie be coming to my birthday party?" (I know, gut wrenching, right?) "When is Sadie coming home?" "Why does Barb get Sadie for a friend? I want a friend too." "I'm never going to have a dog!"  So, it's been a little hard on all of us.  But lately, it's the "playing Sadie and Barb" that just KILLS ME!!  Maya will say, "Ok Mommy, you be Barb and this [a doggy-shaped purse that looks exactly like Sadie] is Sadie."  So, I have to show Maya what I think Barb and Sadie are doing.  I always make Barb a VERY nice woman and she is taking such good care of Sadie.  Well today, we had to play "Barb and Sadie" again, only this time, we pretended to be dropping Sadie off at Barb's house.  Maya decided that the front entryway to the house was "Barb's House" and we walked her little doggy purse over there and said hello to Barb and good-bye to Sadie.  We got about 5 steps away and Maya looked at me and said "Sadie is sooooo sad that we left, I'd better go back and get her!!" Oh man!  That girl knows how to lay it on thick!!

So, needless to say, Sadie will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER be forgotten.....no worries, Sadie.....your memory is alive and well in the Mahaffey house!  Barb sends us updates and pictures of her very regularly, which only poors salt into the wounds sometimes, but we appreciate knowing how much she is loved and cared for in her new home.  I knew Sadie would be missed, but I never planned on Maya keeping the memory alive QUITE as well as she does!