Ode to Cadie

This is a story of preparing myself for loss and grief. The picture is of my son’s German Shepard, Cadie.

This sweet dog is in her last stages of life. I adore her. She had her spleen removed along with a large tumor a few weeks ago and we just received the test results. Its not good, she has an aggressive cancer and soon it will overtake her body. My son said he has decided to not go the way of chemo treatments for her. It was a tough decision for him to have the surgery not knowing if for sure it was cancer. I am glad he is able to make good decisions for her.

I love this dog. My son has had her since she was a pup, 9 years ago and she has been his constant companion since then. My wife and I don’t have any animals of our own anymore so we rely on our kids pets to fill that need. Cadie has spent many nights with us when my son would go away for vacations and not able to take her with. We would find her hair at our house for many months after.

She has never been one to get into things and make a mess, if fact if you left the house without her she would lay by the door waiting for you to come back. She has been the best dog. She loves being outside, but also being at your feet, so the slider was left open to accommodate her. She would sit outside and rest her head on the step, seemingly to beg you with her eyes “come throw the ball, pleeeaassse” and the times I couldn’t resist she would play ball for a long time.

This last summer she stayed with us for a few days and we got the kiddie pool out for her. We all put our feet in to cool off. Cadie loves the water and will chase the stream of water coming from the hose.

I see why people have dogs, the loyalty alone is fierce. Cadie is my son’s dog but if he’s not around, she’s mine. When she stays over, forget the dog bed, she’s on the floor next to my side of the bed. Grumbling as she lays down on the hard floor but she wouldn’t be anywhere else, making sure I won’t leave her.

When my son was discharged from the Army in Tennessee, I flew down to help drive his possessions back. Of course, Cadie would come too. There she was right between us on the bench seat of the big yellow moving truck. More than a few times she got bored and settled down between us and rested her head on my lap, that was probably when we became buddies. One time driving on that trip, my son was driving, he had to slam on the brakes Cadie face planted into the dash as I was unable to keep her 75 pounds back. She probably should have had a seat belt on, but not sure that would have helped . My son says “Cadie! Pay the fuck attention” Ha Ha, if only. This phrase has been a running joke between us now.

I had never been around German Shepard’s before the drive back from Tennessee, in fact they scared me, so big and vicious looking. Cadie changed my mind, her sweet demeanor and the way she just wants to be with you and not left out of anything is endearing. Mostly I love her because she loves my son and his family.

For my grand doggie Cadie, I hope your journey is painless, I hope we can make it easy for you. I hope you let us know when its time to let you go.

I am grateful for the time we had, and I will miss you, grandmas will be over this weekend with some doggie treats and hugs.

Fly high Cadie Boo