Twelve and a half years ago my husband I decided to get a
dog for our daughters. We had agreed to get a Lab. However, after visiting a
breeder “just for fun” I ended up coming home with 2 tiny black fur balls; Sara
and James. I had not expected to buy a Shihtzu, let alone 2 of them! James was
the runt of the litter and would only eat or drink if Sara stood beside him.
The breeder was concerned that he would die if she separated them, so like a
sucker I bought both. The girls were absolutely thrilled with having 2 puppies,
and believe me they were adorable. It was not long after that we realized how
dependent James was on Sara. They did everything in unison. James always ate
first while Sara quietly and patiently waited for her turn at the bowl. They
shared dog treats and were always, always together. They walked side by side,
and slept in the exact same position day after day for many years.
James and Sara
Two years ago we had to put Sir James down. He was such a
sick dog. Forever having to care for his wealth of health issues and Sara was
his full time nurse. Every day of his life she cared for him. Constantly
licking his sore ears and making sure that we knew when James needed something.
It was a devastating day when he was put down. I was very worried about Sara
and how she would respond to his absence. The Vet even warned us about the
possible depression she would go through. The first night he was gone we all
fought over Sara especially about who would get to sleep with her. We even set
a place at the table for her that night! It took us a while to get used to just
calling her name as we were so used to calling James and Sara as if it were one
name. For a few days she walked around the house looking for him. It broke our
hearts. But somehow a new spirit awoke in her. At eleven years of age she began
acting like a puppy again. Often running
around the house with such excitement, she even started playing with a tennis
ball.
I joked with the girls that she was just bogged down by the
weight of a man, and was finally set free from their relationship.... not nice
but kind of funny. Sara is my best
friend, actually more like one of my children. She is a huge part of our
family. Each of us spoils her and she responds with such loyalty. She waits by
the door like clockwork each day awaiting the arrival of each child. When my
husband gets home she goes crazy wild. Each of us does different things for her
which just enriches Sara’s life. When our oldest daughter works midnights Sara
waits at the bottom of the stairs for her to bring her up to bed. Sara will lay
in bed all day with her.
She is very aware of each of us and our needs; and always
responds accordingly. When I am not feeling well she behaves very gently with
me. Her loyalty is commendable. When I first arrived home after having bypass
surgery she never left my side. She was obsessed with lying on my right leg. I
had well over a 100 staples and I know she wanted to heal me by keeping my leg
warm. There have been times that my sugars have crashed (I am diabetic) and she
goes crazy licking me and spinning around in front of me. I have no idea how
she knows what is happening to me, but she never leaves my side. If I am in the
shower she lays at the tub waiting for me.
She only does this to me. It is amazing how much I love this little dog.
I usually greet her in the morning with a “good morning miss Sara”, and man
does she ever go crazy. She loves what I say and how I say it. Each of us have different nicknames for her,
Sassy, or Miss Sasperella, Sary, no
matter what you call her she responds with such incredible enthusiasm.
In early December Sara suffered a stroke. She was unable to
eat or drink for 4 days. She also was unable to walk. She drooled a lot and
always patiently allowed us to wipe her mouth. You could see the gratefulness
in her eyes as we cared for her. It was suggested to us that we put her down,
but I just couldn’t do it. It was also during the period of time that both of
my oldest daughters were completing their exams. I knew it would be stressful
for them to deal with her death. So I waited. Eventually we were able to get
her to drink and were able to hand feed her tiny pieces of food. Her back legs
continually gave out on her as she tried to walk. We all took turns carrying
her about. Christmas came and we planned that over the holidays we would as a
family go the Vet’s office and put her down; at least that was the
plan...Somehow she grew stronger each day and eventually was able to hold her
own. She inspires me! Despite her pain and inability to do what she once could,
I see the fight in her to get better.
She has not completely recovered and still has a difficult
time with stairs and at times requires one of us to carry her. Her spirit is
incredible. She is such a happy person; yes she is a person. Sara is a wise old
lady trapped in a dog body. Lol. I know that Sara is a dog but I love her like
a child. She is kind, gentle, loyal and has unconditional love for every person
in this house. The qualities that I wish more humans had. Little Miss Sara we
all love you so much.
~Christine~
Little Miss Sara on Christmas Eve 2012
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