SAAAAGE! ♡
In a few days, it’s going to be September. Say wha? This is both NOT OKAY and also the best thing ever because fall is amazing and I love it. But we’ve still got time before September hits and I’m taking full advantage of it by sneaking in an update on what Sage has been doing in August slash summer. Woot!
August was a big month for Sage.
And by big, I mean Extra Regular.
Sage is the queen of all things mild. In some corner of my mind, I think I held out hope that we would have lots of adventures swimming, hiking, rollerblading, playing frisbee, and other wild summer shenanigans to share with you at this point in the summer. I imagined pictures of Sage jumping off a dock with reckless abandon, or racing like a maniac through the woods, or splashing through a little kiddie-dog pool in the backyard with a big dog-smile on her face.
But you guys, this is my dog. ↓
Sage’s August highlights were those of the Extra Regular variety.
For example: Visiting the vet. Learning how to play with toys (yes – this is a learned skill for our girl). Getting her nails trimmed. Destroying a few items in our home (which, being the extra regular dog she is, involved ripping the petals off of a few flowers and chewing on a pen – I know, BIG NEWS). Napping in the sun all day every day. Getting a new little gold nameplate for her Extra Regular collar. Trying and loving a new brand of treats.
Woweeee! Live it up, Sage. Live. It. Up.
*cue transition into serious*
With all the Extra Regular stuff, there was one truly big thing that happened in Sage’s world in August, and our world, too.
Earlier this week, we said goodbye to an old friend.
Sage and Bernie only knew each other for these last few months, but like all good dog siblings, they did some important things in their time together – napping, competing for food, and assisting their humans on pizza runs. Bonding at its deepest.
Bernie was with my family for 15 years, and he gave us so much love.
In the most bittersweetly perfect turn of events, we were all able to be there for his last day. And it was filled with only the best Bernie things: hearty hamburger meals, sweet hugs and kisses from way too many people (gah, big family problems), serenades on the kitchen floor, and sweet, happy, carefree moments in the sun.
When the time came, all nine of us packed into the tiniest room at the vet and wrapped him in his favorite blanket and cried together as we stroked his frail body and straightened up his little red bandana and told him how much we loved him.
It was raw and heart-breaking and intimate – the hardest kind of perfect that makes you cry all over again when you try to write about.
Our family won’t be the same with you, Bernie Boy. Thank you for 15 sweet years, baby.
The night we said goodbye to Bernie, I held Sage a little tighter and gave her a few extra treats when I put her to bed and tried not to think about the fact that someday, hopefully a wayyy long time from now, these golden days we are having together will have to come to an end with a goodbye of our own. My heart gets a sharp little pang just to… I can’t even. How do people do this? I honestly can’t even.
So I won’t.
I will just show you the happy, non-athletic, mild, golden days that we had together in August. Because there were many. ☀️
Oh, hey, remember the sketchy mail-in doggie DNA test that we did on Sage way back in April?
As luck would have it, our Beagle-looking dog has the genetic makeup of a Labrador Retriever and (wait for it) Bulldog. Don’t tell the DNA people, but I think there’s some Beagle and a little German Shepherd in there, too. And maybe a little bit of Cat.
Whatever she is, I love it.
If you’re into the whole fur bb thing, check out the story of how we got Sage and the Sage update from May.
I fell upon your blog because of my love for food…..and I got an extra bonus in regards to your beloved dog, Sage :))
Sage is SO blessed to have found you…vise versa.
I am loving all the “family photos of all the fun you are having with
Sage” I actually would love to adopt a dog someday . Seeing the love
You both give Sage really touches my heart. It’s so wonderful !!!!
May God continue to bless all three of you !!!!!
Oh, By the way….I adore your food too :)))))
Maureen…in Dana Point CA,
Your family gave Bernie the best going-away possible. Thank you!
And re Sage: the way she stretches out her back legs is very Bulldog. I was wondering if she didn’t have a little Cocker Spaniel in there, too, because of the extremely soft fur. Whatever: she’s several good kinds of dog, that’s all.
Your words brought tears to my eyes! Your love for him definitely showed through your photos and words. About 2 weeks before your Bernie passed, we had to let my precious Mina go – it is so hard to say goodbye. I am so, so very sorry for your loss.
I am sure that sweet Sage will have a wonderful life with you!
Thanks for this beautiful post, Lindsay. Wow! I loved that dog!
I am a firm believer that dogs teach us about love…and life…and death. Bernie was the connecter of our family and I will forever be grateful for that. It has been healing to read the kind word of your readers as well. Thank you.
Thanks for bringing Sage over for a sleepover! It’s good for Tucker to be with friends (his own kind) ;)…and she is very easy to love. Bring her again soon!! 🙂
mom 🙂
Thanks Mom! 🙂 Sage is lucky to have such a good Doggie Camp to stay at when we’re gone. And may he rest in peace, our sweet little Bernie boy!
Aww. 🙂 I’ll pass this along to Lindsay for you, mom!
Hi, Lindsay! I just want to say that Sage is adorable, and she reminds me a lot of my rescue girl, Sadie. They have very similar builds and coloring, except Sadie has a shepherd face (though she is only 40 lbs fully grown and has no shepherd double-coat). She is also over a year old, has had puppies, and is a sweet girl! We too have the same growly issue with new people. How long did it take Sage to get over that? Sadie just joined us a month ago so she is still fairly new. Now please excuse me while I go start your pumpkin bites! 🙂
Enjoy those pumpkin bites! 😉
Random question, but if you don’t mind me asking, where did you get your couch? I can’t see it real well, but what I do see I like! Thanks so much!
Thanks Jana! the set was from Hom furniture a few years ago 🙂
Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my super random question! Thanks also for such a fun blog!
Hi, Jana! I’ll have Lindsay get back to you. 🙂
Sorry for your loss. Beautiful tribute to Bernie. Sage is a cutie! Love your website!
What wonderful photos of Sage – I know you’ll have many happy years together. Just as you did with Bernie.
I was in tears reading your post, reminding me of my current and past doggie kids.
That last goodbye is so hard, but I try to think of it as the last loving act we can do for our furry children.
Tonight, I’ll especially appreciate all those welcome home doggie kisses !
I’m so sorry for your families loss. Your story just took me back to last November when my husband and I sat on the floor of our vet’s office and kissed our big old black lab, Guinness goodbye. As I sit here typing this reply with tears streaming down my face I feel blessed to have so much love and compassion for a family and a beautiful dog that I’ve never met. Animal lovers are truly a special group.
Sage is a sweetheart. Now I have to go give my other two dogs big fat hugs and a treat or two.
It got awfully dusty in here.
Rest in Peace sweet Bernie.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story, after many years I came back to have a beautiful pet me, and I love it !!!! It has changed our lives !!!
Thanks for your great heart
Oh my gosh. Crying at work like a crazy person reading this. We just rescued our Boston Terrier boy a little over a year ago. He’s only 2 1/2. And I already let my mind go there sometimes, LIKE, THANKS A LOT SUBARU COMMERCIAL. I told my fiancé that I think we’re crazy to have bit the bullet and gotten a dog. I used to say I could never get one because the pain of losing them is too great. And it’s not like I started dating my fiancé with the understanding that in 10-15 years, he’d just disappear. So, why do we do this to ourselves with animals? And then Bo jumps up at me when I walk in the door and puts his arms out and tilts his head back causing him to have 3 chins and snorts in excitement and I realize every snort, every kiss, every dog poot and dog walk is worth any pain that will ensue in the future. But, that doesn’t mean I won’t at least try to Frankenweenie him when the time comes.
I’m so sorry for your loss. But, all dogs go to heaven. And thank goodness you have an adorable baby Sage to cuddle with every day!
OMG I LOOOOOOOOVE Sage so much. She is so precious. Her big eyes and big ears and tiny little face remind me so much of my own sweet Luna (tiny black lab and plott hound mix). I am so so sorry to hear about Bernie. Saying goodbye to a beloved animal is beyond heartbreaking, and just like you, I cry even just thinking about it with my own dog. It’s somehow even much more upsetting when it’s your own dog, instead of the family dog. I almost lost Luna last September. She stopped jumping up on the couch and bed, and then stopped walking altogether. She was paralyzed in the rear end. I had to take her to a specialist dog neurosurgeon who was thankfully able to do spinal surgery and remove the pieces of ruptured disc that were causing the paralysis. It was a long and slow recovery, and even now, a year later, she is still wobbly and can’t jump or run like she used to, but she can walk and can control her bowel movements, and is happy and her usual perfect self. So I’m still putting that one in the win category. I can’t even imagine if she had not regained the ability to walk. Too sad to even contemplate. I’m rambling now, sorry. But the moral of this long story is that Sage is precious and wonderful and I love reading your updates and seeing these pictures of her (the one with her little tongue hanging out – I CAN”T EVEN HANDLE IT!). And I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I’m sure Bernie at peace now and it looks like you gave him a wonderful life.
Thanks for the post. It was a wonderful tribute to Bernie, and also, Sage. We had our rescue DNA tested, as well. The results were practically inconclusive–they even offered us our money back. Our girl looks exactly like the pictures you would see if you googled “schnauzer and yellow lab,” but her mother looked like a Beagle, and according to her DNA test results, all but two of her ancestors are “mixed breed.” Two of her great grandparents were identified as German Pinscher and Schnauzer. Regardless, she’s 100% cute, as is Sage.
Thanks for sharing this post! It’s so hard to lose a pet, as they have such a special place in our hearts. I hope you have many many many many more years with your sweet girl Sage! I love seeing all your posts about her.
and I agree with you (and not the DNA people), she definitely looks like she is part German Shepard and Beagle! She’s such a cutie!
Jess
Animals sure do hold a special place in their humans’ hearts. It sounds like you had a great 15 years with Bernie!
Sage looks like such a sweet girl. You are all very lucky to have found each other 🙂
Gah – this totally made me tear up at my desk! So sad to hear about Bernie, and I will definitely give my dog an even bigger hug than usual. <3
Yes, definitely do that. <3
The first time I read your post was this morning, and I cried. Not sure I’ve ever cried after reading a blog post! I remember putting down my childhood cat a few years ago, such a gut wrenching feeling that I’ll never forget. I came back to your post tonight, and cried again. I too will hold Louie and Ben (my two little kittens, brothers!) just a bit closer and shower them with more love. Thank you for reminding us that life is super short for our furry friends.
Thank you Nicole! Glad you have your kitties to love! 🙂
Thanks for a beautiful story and a reminder of just how impermanent all of this really is. I so hope it’s true that our pets are the first to greet us when we get to heaven. I look forward to the day.
I hope so too! Thanks Peter!
Your post goes straight to the heart of those of us who love animals have beloved pets. Beautifully written and photographed, it’s a wonderful tribute to both of your precious puppies. Thank you.
Thank you Denise. Appreciate that!
This made me cry. I’m really sorry about Bernie. We’ve lost two dogs to old age, and even though we knew it was coming, it wasn’t easy. Big hug!
Thank you Richa. Never easy!
I loved your story about Bernie and Sage. My son just lost his Mastiff of 16 years so I know just how you feel. Have been signed on to your blog for the past year now and I really look forward to your recipes. The french toast looks Amazing!
Jill
Thank you Jill! Hope you enjoy the French Toast! 🙂
Letting pets go is one of the hardest things, sometimes I just wish our dogs could live as long as we do.
Ugh, it’s HARD. thanks Raquel!
Like many others, I cried reading about the loss of your sweet Bernie. I’m so glad that he was able to be with his family right up until the end, and I know that he will be deeply missed. Thanks for sharing your fantastic pictures of both Bernie and Sage.
Thank you Rose! Appreciate that!
Let me start off by saying that I ABSOLUTELY love every one of your posts! It’s so nice to read about bloggers’ personal lives and get a small glimpse into their lives outside of food too. <3 Wishing for loads of happiness and snuggles amongst Sage, you, and Bjork.
Thank you Julie! That means a lot! 🙂