Super Sage! Always there.

Last Saturday, January 24, 2014, our family had to say goodbye to our beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog, Sage.  The Vet believes she died of cancer.  She was not eating or drinking the last few days of her life and had other issues she was struggling with as well.  

She was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.  Ray and I had been without children for 14 years of marriage and had such a painful void in our lives.  I had also contracted the Cytomyaglia virus which caused me to suffer with chronic fatigue for 3 years.  Ray felt impressed that we needed a pet to take care of and a pet that would take care of me.  Not just any pet, but a dog bred from Switzerland…a place that is part of our family heritage.  Sage's parents, Mike and Honey both came directly from Switzerland.  She is as pure bred as they come.  

Sage joined our family when she was 8 weeks old in March of 2005.  If you have never seen a cute fluffy Bernese Mt. Dog puppy, take a moment to google Bernese mt dog puppies and be ready to say:  "ahhhh, aren't they adorable."  They are so cute and cuddly.  

Sage helped me heal.  She was always there.  Ready to share her love.  I never thought I would let her anywhere but on her blanket in the house and I was certainly not going to let her in our bedroom or on a couch.  Well….guess where she ended up?  Anywhere in the house because we always wanted her around.  She was so comforting.  Her bed even ended up in our bedroom somehow.  And, when she got older, we started letting her up on the couch.  She stole our hearts with her love.  

As you will see in the pictures below, Sage loved the outdoors.  She loved being with us.  She was always there.  

The house now feels empty without her presence.  I wait for the sound of her paws coming up the stairs or the jingle of her collar or the sound of her slurping out of her water bowl.   I look for her on her bed, but she's not there.  I look to let her in on the back porch and she's not there.  I really miss our girl.  

Ray and I knew we needed to take her in to the Vet last Saturday to set her free.  We had watched her struggle the past few months with some urinary issues that the Vet couldn't solve.  After trying some antibiotics, nothing changed.  She kept going downhill.  She continued to have her urinary issues and then she lost a lot of weight fast.  12 lbs in 6 weeks.  She would not eat much food.  She couldn't get up in the car on her own anymore and climbing the stairs was a challenge.  Her tail didn't wag like it use too and it hurt for her to sit.  She stopped eating the last few days of her life.  She even turned her head away from salmon, chicken, cheese and peanut butter…some of her favorite treats.  We were willing to try anything to get her to eat.  Then, she stopped drinking water too.  And, she distanced/isolated herself from us.  She would just come in and go right to her bed to lay down.  After ruling out other possibilities, the Vet thought Sage most likely was suffering from cancer. 

Ray and I knew after observing Sage's struggles the last few weeks, we had a hard decision to make.  Fortunately, we both knew it was time to set her free.  We both knew it had to happen last Saturday, even though the kids desperately wanted her to live till her 10th birthday (which was 2 days later.)  We just couldn't let her suffer any longer and the morning we took her in, her breathing was even becoming weaker.  

Ray and I took the kids over to a friends house and then we took Sage on a drive to Hatcher Pass for one last Mountain experience here on earth.  Then, the moment arrived where we had to make the drive to the Vet's office.  Neither Ray or I have had to put a dog down before (I prefer to say 'set a dog free.')

Our hearts started to ache.  We were taken into the room where the procedure would occur.  The Vet gave us time with Sage so we could say goodbye.  Then, she came in and explained what would occur and what might occur after the injection.  She took Sage away for a few minutes to insert a catheter.

Then, she returned with Sage and had her lay on the blanket.  She asked us if we needed more time and I looked at Ray and our eyes met with an "it's time" kind of look.  Ray gave the go ahead.  We knew the longer we stalled, the more difficult it would become to let her go.  I sat on the floor with Sage's paw in my hand as Ray stood over us and the Vet was on the floor on the other side.  She began the injection and only a moment later, Sage was gone.  She passed so quickly and calmly.  I wasn't ready for her to go so fast.  I  thought it would take 10 minutes.  But, as I look back, I am so grateful it was quick and quiet.  She didn't twitch or take a last breath or struggle in anyway.  She peacefully let her Spirit soar as we watched her body lay lifeless on the floor.  She must have had angels in the room ready to welcome her home.  The Vet then said she was sorry and told us to take our time and she left the room.  Ray and I cried out in agony.  Our hearts were crushed.  The girl that healed our hearts was now putting a hole in them.  We remained in the room for a few minutes, we continued to cry and then a peace filled the room.  Ray and I stayed a little longer as we looked at our Sage lying lifeless on the floor.  Even though her body is dead, her Spirit is alive and well.  I know it.  I feel it.  And, I look forward to the day when we can be together again for many more adventures.  

We love you Sage!  Thank you for loving us.

Keep sharing your gift.

Hiking in Valdez

So fun to hike w/ Sage

More hiking in the Mountains of Valdez, AK  with our Bernese Mt. Dog

I just love her smile! My 3 happy kids!

This is the life!

Relaxing in Denali after hiking up a trail to pick lingonberries.

Marathon training w/ Sage.  She kept me going up the hills.  

She always helped me to climb higher.  Thank you Sage!

More hill training in Hatcher Pass.  

How come she's smiling at I'm not?  Maybe I need 4 legs to help 

me climb better.  ;  )

Cheering Ray on before his race.  Sage can soothe the soul and keep you calm.

Hanging out in Kenai.  Sage received lots of love from tourists that were there.

She was the most beautiful wildlife they had seen on their trip.  :  )

Ray's other girlfriend besides me and I'm good w/ that.  

Sage always had our backs.

Thanks for protecting us.

McKinley thought Sage needed a top hat.  So cute.

Once again, she's got Stephen's back.  What a great watchdog.  

Hiking on the trails at Quartz creek campground.

One of Sage's last hikes/camping trips last summer, July 2014.

We backpacked in to a beautiful lake and spent the night.

She was so free and happy.

McKinley loves her hiking buddy. 

And, I mean she LOVES her hiking buddy.

Watching over Ray.  Or….maybe she's hoping for some of the Mt House food he's cooking up. : )

She knows how to give love.  So cuddly.  

I'm missing her love so much.  

Enjoying the view.

One more hug from McKinley.

Up the trail to Ermine Hill.

We made it.  Time for a snack.

Sage is still smiling. 

Leading the way

Always there

Saying goodbye……This is her last day in our home, but she will always be

in our hearts.

McKinley saying goodbye to Sage

At the Vets office.  Only a few more minutes before she is free.  This was so hard.  One minute you look into her brown eyes, she is breathing, she is alive.  Then………

 the Vet puts her to rest and her heart stops beating and her lifeless body

lay there turning cold.  

Heart wrenching for us.  Ray and I both cried out in anguish of soul.  It was so

hard to let her go, but we KNEW it was right.  

Another hug goodbye right before going into the Vet's office last Saturday.  

Ray's heart is breaking.

The last look into those beautiful brown eyes as we wait for the Vet to come in the room. 

 Oh, how I love this girl.  

We took Sage on one more drive to the Mountains on Saturday.  She always loved Hatcher Pass.

Laying on my lap in the Vet's office….giving me her unconditional love once more.

Only 5 more minutes and I won't see her til we meet again.  

Do I have to let her go?  I know it's time.  She has suffered long enough, but

this hurts so bad.  She took care of us for 10 years.  She is a healer of hearts.

Ray captured this image of Sage in our yard a few minutes before we had to take her to 

be set free.    She had distanced herself from us.  She used to always come to the porch to be close to us  and be let back in the house.  The past week before she died, she would stay farther away.  She would not come to the porch and wait.  This is one of the signs of knowing your dog is ready to go home to heaven.  Thank you for making our home feel more heavenly Sage.  We miss you so much, but we know you are free and happy once again.  God be with you till we meet again.