A Birthday Tribute to Sadie the Wonder Pup 🐾
Volume 3, Issue 10
May 26, 2025
New Moon in Gemini 🌑 ♊
Sun in Gemini ☀️ ♊
New Moon Greetings❣️
At this moment, I cannot imagine our family without Sadie. She came into our lives at just the right time and has brought us endless love and attention since her arrival. On this new moon in Gemini, I want to dedicate this post to our Gemini-born canine companion, who brightens my life in countless ways. I’ll be sharing her origin story and how she came into our lives, straight from my heart.
On a hot August afternoon in 2022, Bob and I set out on a 60-mile journey south to Hartville, Ohio, to look at a pair of 10-week-old tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies. The decision to look at—and possibly adopt—a new puppy came out of the pain and anguish of the most heartbreaking loss just three weeks prior. We were not clear of mind or in any way ready to make such a life-changing decision, but we needed comfort, and possibly a distraction from the pain of loss and our new reality as bereaved parents.
My sister-in-law suggested the idea, as she is the loving owner of two Cavies. We were sitting outside in our backyard in total shock at our circumstances, just after we had decided to take Sierra off life support and donate her organs. Those procedures would happen the next day, and we were trying to process the gravity of that moment. While missing her dogs back home in North Carolina, she said out loud, “You need a Cavie. It will help comfort you in your grief and pain.” Cavaliers are mild-mannered, loyal companions, and they make wonderful therapy dogs.
My sister-in-law had been with us in the hospital while Sierra lay in a coma in the ICU, brain-dead after an overdose involving fentanyl. She is both a medical professional and Sierra’s aunt, and she came to comfort us, say goodbye to Sierra, and help us navigate the impossibly difficult decisions we faced regarding Sierra’s life and death.
After the memorial service and a couple of weeks away from work, we began to settle into our new reality and quickly opened to the idea of adopting a Cavalier. We looked online, did some research, and each day we felt increasingly drawn to the idea of bringing a puppy home. Looking at photo after photo of those sweet faces, we got swept away. Our last family dog, Marley, was put down in 2018 at 15. Sierra and I were together for that goodbye—another painful milestone in our family’s journey.
We were new empty nesters, and I missed having a dog around the house. So off we went to meet sweet 10-week-old Sadie and her sister, the last two left in their litter. We were immediately smitten. These two four-pound Cavie puppies frolicked in the grass, playing in the golden afternoon light on a beautiful farm in Amish country. We were sold. While I longed to take them both home, it simply wasn’t an option for us.
Within an hour, we were driving the 60 miles back to Cleveland with a frightened little Sadie wrapped in a blanket on my lap. She seemed so small and vulnerable as she looked up at me, and I kept my eyes on her for the entire ride home. This was our first bonding moment. She had left her home and family to join ours and to grow up with two grieving caregivers. Just as much as we needed her, she needed us, and that mutual need has become the foundation of our love for her ever since that warm August afternoon in 2022.
Together, we poured our hearts into her care from the moment she arrived. It wasn’t easy—we discovered she had parasites at her first vet visit, and it took months to get her healthy. We were terrified of losing her, too, especially after Sierra. Bob and I resolved to do everything in our power to nurse Sadie back to health so she could thrive and be our companion for as long as time would allow.
That’s when Bob began cooking her food. When she was small and started losing weight because of an upset tummy from medications, he began making fresh batches each week—ground meat, rice, spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, and nutrient packets, with a little fish oil. I like to top it with a dollop of yogurt, and she always gets a splash of goat’s milk after her meal. She’s spoiled—and so deserving.
Little by little, Sadie grew stronger. And day by day, our bond deepened. One day, we looked around and realized: this is our pack now. We are a family of three humans (including our son Vanner, who is currently serving in the Army), two cats, and now Sadie. In the deepest pain imaginable, while mourning Sierra, we found comfort, cuteness, laughter, and love in our relationship with Sadie. We saved each other.
The gifts of this companionship are countless. When we’re home, she follows us everywhere. She keeps me company on my work-from-home days, and when I’m at the office, she and the cats keep each other company. We don’t like leaving her alone for long, and she’s always on our minds. On days when we both work away from home, Bob comes back at lunch to let her out and spend time with her. We don’t go out again when we’ve been gone all day unless Sadie can come with us.
She’s the ultimate snuggle bug. She cuddles with us on the couch and even in bed—literally under the covers. Bob and I often laugh at how her little 24-pound body takes up so much space, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We both love how she nestles her back into ours or spoons into our bellies at night.
Though she’s not big on long walks, she’ll go if we take her. We went backpacking with her on her second birthday, and she did great! But she prefers easy strolls around the block or playful romps in the backyard. She lies in the grass and chews on a stick when she tires. If I’m in the hammock, she begs to join. She’s just now learning how to settle in with me under the shade of the oak and honeysuckle. Together, we watch the clouds and birds, feel the breeze (which she loves to sniff), and listen to the neighborhood sounds.
The feeling remains: we need her as much as she needs us. This relationship is mutual, full of gratitude and healing. This week, Sadie turns three—a full-grown Cavie now—and we are fully settled into life with her. I often think about how much Sierra and Sadie would have adored each other. But instead, we lost Sierra—and through that loss, we found Sadie. Our fates are bound by grief and the redemptive power of love and companionship. We’ve been reminded, in the most humbling of ways, to cherish each fleeting moment.
So now we hold dear each day with our sweet Sadie—the wonder pup who saved us. I’m grateful we took a leap of faith while our hearts were broken and welcomed her into our family.
Thank you for reading this and for being here. Your presence in this space is more meaningful than you might realize. I would love to hear your thoughts—have you experienced the healing power of an animal companion? Please feel free to share your reflections in the comments.
With gratitude,
Jennifer 💫💖💫
Mindfulness Prompt: Healing with an Animal Companion 🐾
Begin by finding a comfortable position, seated or lying down, with your animal companion nearby, or bring their presence to mind if they’re not with you. Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Take a deep breath in… and slowly exhale. Allow your shoulders to drop, your jaw to soften, and your belly to relax.
With your next few breaths, bring your awareness to the presence of your companion. Notice any sounds, movements, or simply the warmth they bring into your space.
If your pet is with you, place a gentle hand on them, or feel their presence beside you.
If you’re imagining them, picture their face, their fur, the sound of their breath or the weight of them in your lap.
Breathe in… and as you exhale, feel a quiet thread of connection between your heart and theirs.
Inhale… and feel the comfort of being known, accepted, and loved just as you are.
Exhale… and offer that same unconditional love in return.
Allow yourself a moment of gratitude for the joy, the comfort, and the steady companionship this being offers.
Let this be a space of mutual healing:
You are here for them.
They are here for you.
You belong to each other.
Rest in that knowing for a few more breaths.
When you’re ready, gently bring your awareness back to the room. Open your eyes.
Offer your companion a smile, a loving gaze, or a gentle touch.
Let this feeling of connection and healing carry with you through the rest of your day.
The Planets🪐
- New Moon in Gemini on May 26, 2025 🌑 ♊
- Mercury conjunct the Sun (CAZIMI!) in Gemini ☀️ ♊
- Waxing half moon in Virgo on June 2, 2025 🌓 ♍
- Venus in Aries moves into Taurus on June 6, 2025 ♈ ➡️ ♉
- Jupiter in Gemini moves into Cancer on June 9, 2025 ♊ ➡️ ♋
- Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 11, 2025 🌕 ♐
🌄 Sunrise today in Cleveland is at 5:58 am
🌇 Sunset today in Cleveland at 8:50 pm
New Moon Intentions: Under the new moon in Gemini, I set the intention to bring more clarity and ease into how I express myself, with others, with myself, and even with the animals I share my life with. I welcome a spirit of curiosity, allowing questions and wonder to guide me rather than rushing to find answers. This lunar cycle, I open to deeper connection with loved ones, kindred spirits, and the quiet wisdom of animal companions who remind me that communication isn’t always verbal, but always meaningful. With this moon, I begin again—with openness, lightness, and a heart ready to connect.
Learn more about this new moon in Gemini with Kathy Biehl at EmpowermentUnlimited.net.
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