My Sweet Sadie

sadie-small

This is Sadie, eight and a half years old. She’s suffering from liver disease/cancer. The Vet felt her symptoms were too advanced, and she was too high risk to perform a biopsy – danger of the liver not regenerating and bleeding out.

She’s a tough, tough dog. Been through a lot. So far, she is responding well to the medication they’ve put her on. But she is still retaining a lot of fluid in her abdomen.

In addition to the meds, she’s on a regimen of lots of hugs and love from everyone in our household.

UPDATE March 24th: Can’t thank you all enough for the comments, emails, well-wishes and prayers. Sadie is doing better today than she has in three months. She is running to and from the back door. Pulling on her leash. Getting up and down easier. The swelling in her abdomen and elsewhere is almost completely gone (the picture above is old – I’ll add some I took last week when I thought she was in her final hours), which means her liver is doing its job. I just spoke with our vet and we are both cautiously optimistic at this point.

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to send her positive thoughts, whether publicly or privately!

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55 Comments

  1. Sorry to hear about Sadie. She’s a beautiful girl. Our pets are family to all of us that love them like children. Hope Sadie doesn’t suffer too much. It really hurts to watch them go. Sending well wishes for all of you.

  2. Lee thanks for posting Sweet Sadie’s Pic.
    Sounds like she’s getting the very best medicine of all: Love and Attention.
    It’s obvious she’s NOT just a dog; Sadie is family! Give her a hug from me!
    As far as the books – Thanks as always! – But, Family trumps all else…
    We’ll still be here.

  3. She’s a great looking girl and my best wishes for the meds to work.
    On a lighter note, I just downloaded Thin Line a few minutes ago. I’m sure it will be another case of Jack Noble preventing me from getting things done!
    Cheers!
    Bob

    1. Thank you for the well wishes.

      It makes me very happy when I hear these books prevent work and chores from getting done 🙂

  4. Sadie is beautiful and looks so sweet! Thanks for sharing her picture with all of us. I’ll keep good thoughts for her to remain with her chosen family for a long time to come.

  5. Great picture of Sadie! She looks like such a gentle and loving companion. My thoughts are with you. Now I can’t wait to go home from work to start reading Thin Line. Love all of your books.

    Deb

    1. Thank you, Deb. Appreciate the kind words.

      Good day to take a half-day? Hope you enjoy the book 🙂

  6. Dear Lee,

    We understand your feelings for Sadie. We have always had Dobies, and they have been our babies – just like our own children. Our last Dobie, Fire, died at 11.5 years old from the same cancer Sadie has. He suffered mightily and my wife (and I) was devastated when he died. We rescued a 6 months old Dobie who was abandoned and starved and was in a cage for his last 3 months. It is 1 year now that we have him and he is our baby – actually my wife is his Mommy and he has brought so much laughter and love into our life. But we never forget Fire!
    We wish you and Sadie only health, love and Success!

    BTW: I love your books and have just bought “The Thin Line”.

    Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and Sadie,

    Ron

    1. Thank you, Ron. We appreciate it. Fire sounds like he was an amazing pup. It is never easy, this part, but they always live on within us. Enjoy every day with your new Dobie.

      Thanks for picking up the latest. Hope you enjoy it as much as the others.

  7. Thank you for sharing the photo of Sadie. Miracles do happen!!!!. I sincerely hope that one happens for not only Sadie, but for you and the rest of your family! As much as I like reading your books, I am sure that ALL of your reading “family”will understand if you take time off to spend time with Sadie! On Monday when we had several visitors to our home, The question that most people had was: “When will we get the LATEST book from L.T. Ryan! Now I can make several phone calls to let them know.
    THANKS FOR THE GREAT WRITING, AND TAKE CARE OF SAIDE!

    1. Thank you, Michael. I am remaining optimistic. Despite the severity, it is manageable in some cases. It seems these next few days will tell us. We are spending lots of time with her. I have a bed set up next to my desk and she’s next to me most of the day when I’m in here.

      Thank you for spreading the word about these books. Very grateful for that 🙂 Hope everyone in your circle enjoys the latest.

  8. Dear Lee and family,
    My heart goes out to Sadie and all of you… Doug and I have three dogs and they’re all very much loved and also old, as are we. Yes, there comes a time when we shed so many tears and we suffer loss… Our loved ones are now become absent and now remain forever in our hearts… My thoughts are with you all…
    Carrie

  9. Our Golden Retriever, Otis, is my constant companion, lying right now next to the chair i am sitting in. Since my husband travels & I am retired this sweet rescue we brought into our home 2 years ago has stolen our heart. They do that! So it is especially difficult when we know they will at some point no longer be with us…there will be that empty spot on the floor beside the chair & an even bigger one in our hearts. But you must know that your Sadie has felt loved & so happy to have been in your family & wouldn’t want to be anyplace else. As you said…she will tell you when it’s time to move on. Meanwhile the hugs & love are enough. Linda. P.S. I love your books too!

    1. Thank you, Linda. Not looking forward to that empty spot, but there are lots of memories to help fill it once it comes.

      Enjoy your Otis 🙂

      Lots more books in store!

  10. Lee,
    My heart goes out to you! Hang in there, Sadie. Our four-legged family members truly love us unconditionally. And, it’s obvious that you love him unconditionally in return.

    We lost our rescued Scottish terrier, Sherlock, to cancer Dec. 30th. He’d helped my children and me through so many “dark” times into sunshine just with his love. He always knew when we needed a little extra attention.

    I hope that the cancer meds continue to help Sadie and that she will not be in pain.

    1. Thanks, Linda. She’s putting up a fight.

      Sorry to hear about Sherlock. Sounds like a wonderful, caring pup.

  11. She’s a beauty! I went thru the same thing with my min-pin a number of years ago. I still miss her so I know what you’re feeling. I have a miniature dachshund now and she and I are wishing you and Sadie lots of good tiimes remaining.

  12. Dear Lee, what a gorgeous girl. All we can do when they all cross the rainbow bridge is know that we gave them the best life possible, a life of being loved every day of it. I also know that Sadie will always be with you, in your heart, soul, and wonderful memories. I know they’re going to have to lock me up somewhere very soon, as I have 2 kitties and 1 pup, all 16 years old, that are fighting so hard to stay with us. I am blessed that I have time to be with them. Just keep loving.?

  13. Just purchased the new book – thank you for letting us know it is now available!

    Deep and sincere wishes for Sadie’s treatment to be effective so she and all of you will have more wonderful time together. Thinking of you all – and special healing thoughts to Sadie.

  14. What a beautiful girl. They bring us so much pleasure just by being there. My 2 year old terrier mix – also named Sadie! – is a rescue dog that was very mistreated before she came to us. We lost our 13 year old Dalmatian “Backdraft” to illness last year and my Sadie came into our lives. We have helped to heal each other. Your Sadie is on my prayer list. I consider her a part of your family and know how hard it is to see her struggle. She is very lucky to have a family that will not give up on her!

    Thanks for the link for Thin Line. Just downloaded it to my kindle. I have to finish “This is the End” collection and get started reading. I love the Jack Noble series. I also look forward to season four and loved the Clarissa novel. I am glad to hear I have much to look forward to this year!

    1. Thank you, Teri. Our Sadie had an abused past and was dropped off at an SPCA as a feral 10-month old pup. They made the decision to raise her and train her, yet she went unadopted for over a year. I walked in one day and saw her and that was it.

      Sorry to hear about Backdraft. This is never easy.

      Hope you enjoy the new one when you are able to get to it. Hopefully you’ll have that reading list cleared by the time Season Four rolls around 🙂

      1. Our prayers go up for you and Sadie. I am so glad she has you. We adopted a 12 year old standard poodle a few months ago and she has bad hips. She needs a bit of help now and then, but makes our lives so much happier. We also adopted a Walker treeing coon hound that is 8 years old. He is healthy (and strong!) He survived parvo as a pup. Both dogs have had good homes. Barney, the coon hound, was raised at with a rescue family who thought he never was going to be adopted. We fell in love instantly with him as well. Chloe’s human died and they asked for a home for her. We have been blessed. We will keep Sadie in our prayers. May God Bless.

        1. That is so great of you to take on older rescues, Bonita. Breaks my heart seeing older dogs in a shelter. Thank you for the prayers for, Sadie. Most appreciated.

          1. Sadie appears to be happy and alert. We have been through the same ordeal and miracles still happen. She is in our prayers.

            Billy

          2. Thanks, Billy. That’s my favorite picture of her. She doesn’t look like that these days.

  15. Sadie, you look like one strong girl! You can beat this! I am currently in remission from breast cancer and if an old chick like me can beat it, I know you can too. Sweet dog, take your meds and stay positive! Give you dad a kiss for all of us that love his books. Prayers are with you and your family. 🙂

  16. good lookin’ girl, man. she looks like a lot of fun. like she’s ready for anything.
    pets can be such a part of the family it’s amazing. hope she pulls through. my prayers are with her, you and yours.

  17. My best wishes to Sadie for comfort and happiness, and to you for strength and insight. She looks like such a very good friend.

  18. Shortly after posting this, Sadie completely turned around and seemed healthier than she had been for months. Unfortunately, she took a turn for the worse this week and we lost her this morning. I am forever appreciative for all the support.

  19. Just went to site and now understans Sadie reference….she is just adorable, did she lose the battle with liver cancer? Our dogs are part of the family and are always there thru good bad and the ugly that might come our way. I lost my Teddy, a gorgeous sheep cow herder who we adored….dad and I buried her on other side of our creek in the grape arbor portion of our garden, right by the wild asparagus so loved to jump into and pull down,,,,

    1. Yes, unfortunately we lost her this morning 🙁

      Sorry to hear of your loss of Teddy. This is never easy.

  20. Lee, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. You will all cherish the memories made with beautiful, sweet Sadie. She is just across “the rainbow bridge” and will be waiting to play with each of you again in the future. Blessings as you deal with this transition.

  21. Hello Lee, I just finished Noble Beginnings and signed up for you newsletter. In navigating the links in your welcome letter, I came across this page. Although a little late, please accept my condolences for the loss of your Sadie. I know how hard it is to lose a family member and I’m sure her love will live in your heart and the hearts of your family forever.

  22. i’m new to your works and am extremely sorry to read of Sadie’s going over the Rainbow Bridge. I know how much you loved and miss her. She knew she was loved until the very end and will live forever in your heart.

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