Today I woke up to rain pouring down, a perfect match to the tears on my face.  Yesterday, after only six short weeks with us, we lost our little dog Sara to a heart attack. 

Sara was picked up as a stray and taken to a 'shelter' where she had only three days to live unless someone spoke up for her.  A friend asked me if I knew anyone who was interested and instantly I knew the little stray would be coming to live with us.

Sara was moved from the original facility to a nearby shelter for a medical evaluation.  While there, she and her roommate, a little dog who would come to be known as Meli, were diagnosed with kennel cough which substantially delayed their homecoming - yes, Meli came home with us too.

Sara and Meli came home on my birthday and quickly adjusted to being home.  Pumpkin, our nearly 19 year old rescued miniature poodle, ignored the newcomers.  Gabby, our rescued puppy mill Mom, a toy poodle, was typically reserved though curious, and Winnie, Gabby's puppy was bursting at the seams with the prospect of new playmates.

Sara, a poodle/bichon mix who was presumed to be 15, quickly made herself at home - testing out every doggie bed and locating both the fridge and the backdoor in short order.  She endeared herself to everyone within moments with her perky smile, her upright tail that wagged constantly, and her love of food (which in a household of finicky eaters is a very endearing trait).  She loved flipping pillows out of doggie beds and got a kick out of playing turtle, burrowing under the doggie bed in the picture and wandering around with it draped over her - it was a charming sight though a tad alarming the first time when the bed seemed to be moving by itself!!

Sara greeted us at the bottom of the stairs in the mornings, often with little "where have you been" complaints.  After a quick trip outdoors it would be straight back inside for breakfast.  We had to guard her bowl from Winnie and Meli who always were more interested in her food than theirs.  Sara generally wasted no time in finishing breakfast or dinner so we didn't have to guard long (but watching Winnie and Meli trying to sneak past was also part of the mealtime routine).

Sadly, Sara, her sweet smile, and waggy tail slipped away from us last night just before her dinnertime.  We are joyful that we were able to offer Sara a home and love and a cozy place to rest but are so sad that she was with us for such a short time.

Sara, our little love, we are honored that you shared even part of your life with us and we will always hold you close in our hearts.