Obituary: Sadie the Greyhound

Sadie, a 14-year old retired racing greyhound, died in her sleep Monday from the infirmities of old age. The brindle daughter of racing Hall of Fame parents, Sadie passed away peacefully, her head resting on her adoptive father’s lap and comforted by the love of her doting mother.

The winner of five races, Sadie stopped running for money at the age of three and soon found a forever home in suburban Denver. Here she enjoyed tossing toys in the air and getting lost at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

As a youngster fresh off the track, Sadie reveled in exploring her big, new world. Everything was new and, as sight-hounds sometimes do, she occasionally got distracted. Unexpected walkabouts included distant neighborhood explorations, which made returning to her sofa complicated since Sadie no clue where she was, how to get home, and did not carry a cell phone to text her whereabouts.

A kind and gentle dog, Sadie made friends easily. Among them was a young woman Sadie met as the result of a nighttime sneak escape. Brazenly embarking on a bold venture into a severe winter blizzard, Sadie sought refuge in the woman’s apartment garage two miles from home.

Sadie ran with breathtaking elegance through Cherry Creek State Park’s massive free-roam dog park, needing just three strides to accelerate like a jet. She was born to run and loved to do so, much to the enjoyment of others. Many would stop and admire her graceful stride and speed.

With quick wheels beneath her, Sadie loved to chase rabbits and squirrels and proudly returned several to the patio to show her parents.

Time would temper the need to procure but not Sadie’s interactions with wildlife. One day in the park a bold young coyote entered the dog park and Sadie ran over to investigate. Sensing a threat, Sadie’s younger but bigger brother raced over to protect her. He killed the coyote and dragged it back to Sadie’s mortified mom. Fearing repercussions and government paperwork, Sadie’s mom immediately unveiled her best greyhound imitation, hurriedly exiting the park with both dogs in tow.

Coyotes would reappear in Sadie’s life one year later. During a neighborhood walk Sadie was attacked, and the coyote attempted to sever her Achilles tendon. Severely injured, Sadie escaped but her painful recovery took three delicate months. The incident did nothing to change her sunny disposition.

Sadie lived for her morning walks and was happy and patient with all she met. She stopped chasing coyotes, leaving that to her brother, who remained for the rest of her life a loyal and zealous protectorate. Her roaming days over, during morning walks Sadie kept a vigilant eye on her family, preferring to stay within a few loping strides.

Spring and fall were Sadie’s favorite times of year. She wore a heavy wool coat during winter but considered snow an inconvenience best left for others to shovel and clear her path. Rain she found annoying. Regardless of the weather, whenever Sadie stepped on a thorn or pebble that affixed to her paw, she immediately stopped and raised it. She was a running machine; and since sports cars do not cruise on flat tires, Sadie expected her pit crew to immediately handle all required repairs.

As her face turned white and walks became shorter, Sadie realized her time was near. Her final ride in the car—a transportation methodology she truly despised—was short. She was lifted into the car and lifted back out, but limped inside on her own.

Sadie plays in a better place today, a happier place, bounding from cloud to cloud in heaven’s free range park with all of the wonderful dogs who have taught their loving owners how to live with joy, loyalty, and kindness.

As all good dog owners know, we will miss her … but love her forever.

Sadie

March 12, 2002 — April 18, 2016