When Sadie Ledoux arrived at Colette’s home sixteen years ago, she cast her magical spell on family. They’ve been under her influence ever since.
“As a puppy there were days when she seemed plum pleased to test my patience” writes Colette. “I admit I’d often say “dearly departed Mother, are you reincarnated and now inhabiting this dog?” With a devilish twinkle in her eyes and such intense focus, I’d certainly wonder.”
“Believe me when I tell you, Sadie’s level of understanding is amazing. She knocks on the front door with haughty indignation, picks the olives off her pizza, refuses to sleep in her bed if Jake the Beagle drops by for a visit, has the audacity to lie on it to catch forty winks, has selective hearing when I have a bone to pick with her, and flippantly dismisses me when I warn her the main ingredient for my meat-pie recipe should make her nervous, very nervous. As a family member with quirky eccentricities and an obsessive-compulsive disorder of sniffing, we’ve never had the heart to tell her she has four legs, and her ears are considered in the upper-range limit of normal for her size.”
“When she was no bigger than knee-high to a grasshopper, Sadie began to exhibit a most peculiar behavior. Finding an object — sometimes a remnant smaller in size than a pea — she strategically places it where it can’t be ignored and waits for it to be tossed. With nose to ground she sniffs in a trance-like state, pacing back and forth several times following the scent, not the least bit interested in the object itself. Watching her do this has been known to cause acute dizziness. In her younger years this was her full-time occupation, and we’d only get a reprieve with the arrival of new subjects at the door, in the form of company. Within moments they realized they were here for the sole purpose of pleasing this stubborn taskmaster by partaking in her repetitive ritual. Sadie would roll her eyes at ordinary dogs who were simply too pedestrian to know what the tossing was really all about.”
“Having honed her acting skills at an early age, and following an encounter where the Queen of England noticed her when driving by in her limo on a visit to Canada, Sadie’s “Diva” status solidified. One memorable performance came out of the blue when she started limping and insisted we carry her around. The vet suggested we drop her off overnight for observation, so we nervously left her in his care. When we arrived the following morning he shook his head in disbelief when delivering the diagnosis. Baffled, and in a last ditch attempt to sort out the perplexing symptoms, he decided to leave her in an open space alone. Lo and behold, when no one was watching, the limp disappeared and she romped about effortlessly. Yes indeed, we had met our match, and no prescription was required to cure her of the melodramatic diagnosis. Our little darling was foxy smart.”
“We’d leave her at the veterinary hospital for boarding, but following her last stay we received a heartfelt letter of apology informing us that they could no longer provide boarding services. Sadie weighs less than 25 pounds, yet had somehow managed to stress out the entire staff. She posed no threat, but was miserably cantankerous. Fancy that, Miss Sadie had once again put on a stellar performance, and now bids us adieu from the comfort of home, once extensive arrangements have been made to cater to her every whim. She doesn’t need a purse to carry her keys, but don’t fool yourself into thinking she doesn’t own the property.”
“She may not be a certified therapist in the conventional sense, but trust me when I say credentials are impeccable. Her main focus has been my husband. With a stressful business he’d sneak home and toss balls on the adjoining greenbelt. She’d run like the wind, diving into the bush surrounding the field if necessary; it was a wonder how she managed to come out in one piece, ball in mouth, many times laden down with enough branches to start a campfire, caught in her famous sash of a tail. She’s retrieved more golf balls over her lifetime than one could count! Her lengthy sniffing between each toss suited my husband well, giving him needed time for quiet reflection and contemplation. I’ve always teased that he’s preferred Sadie’s company above all others. And who wouldn’t, given the company of such a beguiling lady?”
“Christmas with Sadie is nothing short of magical. She loves the season and is no different than any kid. She knows she’s been good, and if she hasn’t been, she can explain. Surely Santa won’t forget her, but she stays very close to me, maybe needing reassurance that her treasured spot at the tree on Christmas morning is secure. Many moons ago on a chilly Winter evening when all was aglow, a lady stopped by with a gift for me, and as soon as she saw it, Sadie was more than certain it was hers. As I opened it, her impatience level was so intolerable that she was soon headed downstairs to the tree in search of a suitable gift to open for herself. The diminutive lady who stopped by sure didn’t look like Santa, but both of us were happy just the same with our treasures.”
“It’s terrible to admit we’ve given her table treats, but she adores my cooking. Who knows if the spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers and gluten-free treats have actually contributed to her longevity? There’s been a few health scares over the last couple of years and yet she miraculously bounces back. The vet has assured us she will come to Sadie when she tires, and is ready to say goodbye. She knows this grand old dame has earned the luxury, and any other arrangement would simply not suffice. We dare to dream, she’ll have many more lazy Summer days to lounge about in the dewy grass.”
“Our girl still walks up to the ski hill and back with my husband Claude at least once or twice a week. It’s a good three mile walk round-trip. She also still runs around the house in circles at full tilt many times a week (FRAP!). Even at her age, she is in incredibly great shape.”
“Sadie embodies strength far greater than size implies, her unspoken language is more understandable than the spoken word, her love is pure and simple and has never had strings attached. We could not be more thankful for the joy of sharing our lives with our best friend, and are pleased to have had the opportunity to introduce you to our beloved Miss Sadie.”
“Cheers and good wishes to all our Corgi friends and families. With many thanks, Colette and Miss Sadie Ledoux!”
Curtsy to you Ms. Sadie!
What a great post! I don't think I've ever read anything that captures a dog's personality so well. Sadie is a doll and your words and pictures show her in all her magnificence. We should all be so lucky to have our sweet Corgis for 16 years. A big salute to this sweet girl!
What a lovely story. She is such a cutie.
So enjoyed reading this! You need to publish a book about Sadie.
I am totally enchanted by Miss Sadie! Thank you for sharing your lovely little Corgi so eloquently with us!
what a wonderful story, about another grand dame of Corgi! Live well and have continued long days Ms. Sadie.
I am Sadie's Auntie (Colette's sister) and I can attest that Sadie is all this, and more! I love this little one and I know she loves me back. She twirls in circles when I arrive from out of town, and then quickly looks for a toy for us to play with. I have no doubt she thinks I have travelled all these miles to visit with just her…and maybe to get in a few words with my sister. Colette and I have had a lot of laughs with Sadie over the years, and if I had a dog biscuit for every time I have said after one of Sadie's performances "and the Oscar goes too…"!
Loved reading Sadie's story. I think you need to publish a book about her. What a Diva she is and at 16, she so deserves to be. I can only pray my corgi lives to be 16 and longer. Thanks for sharing your Sadie with us and give her plenty of kisses from me.
Absolutely loved reading about the grande dame Sadie ! May her reign continue…well, as long as SHE wishes ! Terrific pics too, a splendid post, ditto everyone else's comments.
I love her. what a card. Priceless.