Sadie Mariani

16 years ago, I tricked my parents into our sweet heeler mix, Sadie. I was a volunteer at a local puppy rescue, where selected puppies were placed into “I’m being adopted” pens during adoption logistics. This pup was immediately chosen and put into a holding pen. Unbeknownst to the volunteers, the family who had selected her changed their minds and left without telling anyone. She remained there all day. After a busy adoption day, I noticed the tiny puppy still there by herself. We already had 2 dogs at home, but I knew we had to have her. The director of the rescue helped me create a plan: when my parents arrived to get me (I was 15 and not yet driving), she would insist we “foster” her for the night due to limited space at the rescue (it was not). She told my parents to bring her back tomorrow, so she could be adopted out on Sunday. Needless to say, we named her Sadie on the car ride home. We had 16.5 amazing years together. She will forever be loved and missed.