Sophie

Sophie spent 15 years on a chain. She endured 15 years of thunderstorms and winter, 15 years of flies and heat.
I can't imagine a dog spending 15 years staring at a house that their people walk in and out of, wondering why they can't be a part of movie night or Christmas...without a spot on the couch or even a nice bed on the floor.
Sophie was finally freed from her chain and spent a month at another rescue local to us, where I saw her posted with a plea that she not spend her final time on earth in a garage. Not everyone is set up like we are or as tolerant of potty messes so she was in a straw bedded pen at Reigning Cats and Dogs. I reached out to them and offered to take this precious, vintage girl.
Sophie had no potty training and, at her age, we didn't anticipate that she'd ace the course but being able to provide her with the first comforts of an indoor home was worth the extra cleanup.
We welcomed Sophie home, and loved her as hard as we could. Sadly, after years of neglect, her time with us was cut very short.
There are silent conversations going on all the time, if you have the heart to listen.
I asked Sophie if she knew how much I loved her. I asked her if she knew how much everyone loved her, if she knew how many hearts she had touched.
I spoke to her about her life and the things that she endured. I told her how brave and beautiful she was, and how thankful I was for the opportunity to care for her. I thanked her for holding on so I could love her just one more day. I thanked her for getting up on the days that she felt weak and I thanked her for eating on the days her appetite seemed to fail her.
I asked Sophie to speak to my heart. I asked her to let me know when she was ready to rest. The words weighed heavily as I cared for her the last few days she had on this earth...as she looked at me with eyes that said, "Mom, I'm tired.".
She'd been boasted by so many for her warrior abilities. All she'd done to overcome her past and live in the present. Her time with us lasted 159 days. Those days brought tears of joy and moments of triumph as she climbed the mountain of recovery. Sophie was able to experience a warm bed in front of the fireplace, a cool bed in front of the fan. No shortage of food or snacks or water. She had known healing and love and comfort and support. She had known what it meant to have a real family.
Her family extended beyond the walls of our home to people all around the world that fell in love with Sophie...and as a family, many hearts joined to grieve her loss.
Kenny and I were overcome by the pain of her physical absence, but we were filled with the peace of knowing that the final gift we were able to give Sophie was mercy. She didn't have to fight anymore, our brave girl. Her body is renewed and she has found her place in the sun.
Forever in our hearts.