Dogs are loyal creatures, remaining by their owners’ side through thick and thin. Dogs have been found lying alongside wee ones who have wandered off and been reported missing; they’ve kept vigil near a soldier-owner’s casket.
Sadie is no different. This 13-year-old border collie-dalmatian-shepherd cross was adopted by her human parents when she was eight weeks old.
But when her human dad suddenly passed, it truly devastated her. Sadie’s human mom Julia Beaulieu said when emergency workers ceased working on her husband at their home, their pup walked up to him, laid down beside him and nudged his hand with her nose.
Not only did Julia struggle with the unexpected passing of her husband, but so did Sadie. The dog would stand at the window, waiting for her owner to pull in the drive just like always.
Sadie even stopped eating for 10 long days and lost 10 pounds. So when Julia planned her husband’s memorial service, she decided to include Sadie.
Julia thought it was in Sadie’s best interests to bid goodbye to her loved one in person. At the visitation, Sadie walked up to the casket with Julia, stood on her hind legs and peered in.
Julia said her dog had a look of shock on her face, seemingly almost puzzled by what she was seeing. Then Sadie visibly relaxed and remained by her mom’s side.
Jeremy May of Elements Cremation, which organized the memorial service, said that pets are family and as such, more and more people are bringing their four-legged loved ones to visitations and other services. They snapped the heartfelt photo and shared it to demonstration how beautiful the bond is between humans and dogs.
“This photo has touched us so deeply at Elements Cremation, Pre-planning & Burial, and we and the family want to share it with you. This photograph captures a special moment between a man, his wife and their best friend. She had recently lost her dear husband to a sudden heart attack and wanted to see him one last time to say goodbye … After the death, she showed signs of depression, would not eat and waited for him to come home every day. The wife believed that Sadie could also benefit from saying goodbye and getting closure herself, and she was right!”
After returning home from the memorial service, Sadie walked in the door of her home and ate her first meal. Seeing her loved one just one last time apparently gave the dog the closure she needed.
What a sorrowful yet beautiful story that Julia and Elements Cremation has shared. May they find peace together in the years to come.
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