Sadie, originally named Betty in honor of actress Betty White, was a very fearful dog. I saw her at a local shelter in January, 2022, and she reminded me of a very fearful/aggressive dog I had previously adopted. She was found in the desert somewhere south of Green Valley and was probably a street dog! She had tick fever, had been a recent momma dog (don’t know what happened to her pups), had lots of prickles to be picked out of her, and had chronic ear infections. Because of my love of working with the “bashful blue” dogs at the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha a few years before, I knew I had to adopt Sadie!
Sadie was so fearful that it took about 3 weeks before the shelter staff could do her intake evaluation. No one could touch her. Once I committed to adopting Sadie, I had the privilege of meeting Mikie and working with her with Sadie. I spent about 6 weeks visiting Sadie and trying to earn her trust. Lots of those hours were spent sitting with her in her kennel at the shelter and having her take treats from me. She had to learn how to walk on a leash. Her first bath at the shelter was awful – she was petrified! Now she stands for me in the driveway (I use the garden hose when it’s warm), and then she does zoomies around the yard when she’s done. She always seems to be so grateful to be here with me (at least I like to think so!).
Sadie Mae just turned 6 years old on January 10ish. It will be 4 years on February 23 when I adopted her and brought her home. She’s still a little aggressive so it takes a few meets and greets with other dogs to become friends. She LOVES my other dogs, Henry and Stella. She can be quite vocal if she doesn’t know you, but once you are in my house and sitting, she’ll try to give you face kisses and she’ll ask for some petting and affection! She’s smart, and she watches entire Hallmark movies!
Every now and then we see Mikie’s car parked along the main road outside of my neighborhood near the church. Sadie always knows which car is Mikie’s and can’t wait to see her. The first time she saw Mikie after I adopted her, Sadie knocked Mikie over with lots and lots of kisses. I wondered if I’d ever get to be Sadie’s #1, a position Mikie solely owned during my shelter visits. It was a tough spot to earn but I think I finally got it!
Sadie has turned into a very sweet and affectionate dog. She’s been through a lot over these four years. It included lots of long distance traveling to and from Omaha. She learned how to climb a set of stairs, and then come back down again. She suffered quite a few seizures in year 2 but with the right anti seizure meds, it’s been almost a whole year since she’s had one. She was a real trouper when she had a cyst surgically removed – twice! And hopefully she’s on her last round of meds for valley fever. Even with all of this, I’ve loved being her mom! And we’re forever grateful we met Mikie who was a major influence getting Sadie where she is today!
