July 13th, 2006 – May 6th, 2022

In 2006 I brought home an adorable eight-week-old Rat Terrier puppy, Sandy. That day was the beginning of one of the most incredible friendships of my life.

Sandy was really, really, good at making every day a great day. Not a single day goes by that a memory doesn’t escape my heart and finds its way into my consciousness. I will forever cherish each and every memory of my girl. I have yet to find a word that can truly describe how terribly I miss her.

Dynamite personality, super fun dog… everyone she met loved her. Sandy was my perfect dog.

Cushing’s disease came into her life, and for three years we both fought that terrible illness. Then it was arthritis in both elbows, her hearing and most of her vision went, and she developed a significant growth on her lower right eyelid, along with a lump on her left rear rump. I felt so terrible for her, I missed that she could no longer hear me when I talked to her.

Sandy was a fighter. She had so much spirit and inner strength. So sweet and so determined to fight… until she couldn’t. She became so tender and vulnerable and when she looked at me, her eyes seemed to be asking for help.

The day I threw her favorite ball and she just watched it fly across the room, my heart broke. Chasing a ball was her absolute favorite thing to do.

I made the decision to euthanize Sandy on May 6, 2022. It was the most painful decision I have ever made. It was a cool, drizzly day on that last drive to her doctor. I believe Sandy was aware of what the day was going to bring. She seemed more calm than usual going to the vet’s that day, and I could sense that she was ready to make that journey across the rainbow bridge. When I said my last “I love you”, Sandy was in my arms and she absolutely knew how much I loved her.

For almost 16 years, Sandy was my absolute best friend, my everything, and was always there to give me her unconditional love. I was always so proud of Sandy.

I tell myself that one day we will meet again. I will have her favorite ball in hand and the reunion will be oh so joyous.