This month, the Homeward Bound Family recognizes Sadie and the Wright family as our June Pet Family of the Month! The Wrights made career moves to the Oxford area twenty-five years ago and they remain a part of the Oxford community. Sadie, the family’s chocolate Labrador Retriever, is the first family dog to break the ‘outside dogs only’ rule by ruling the house, both inside and out. When the family Border Collie passed away, the children longed for another dog and thought they might get a female puppy. Mary Glynn’s dog-crazy youngest daughter, Mary Anna, discovered their Veterinarian’s son had a Labrador Retriever – with eight new puppies. Once the family saw the puppies looking over the railing at them, Mary Glynn’s whole family, including daughter Elizabeth and son Kevan, knew they had to choose the only little girl in the litter. The family made a mad dash to Walmart for all the basics to care for a puppy, including a kennel. Sadie cried so much during the first night in the kennel, Elizabeth just couldn’t stand the thought of her being so unhappy and put the puppy in the bed with Mary Glynn. The children named her Sadie – or Sadie-Sadie the Chocolate Lady. Guess where she still sleeps today?
Sadie is not a typical lab — she hates the water and doesn’t even want to get her feet wet! She’s always very lady like, and sits most often with her feet crossed, very proper. But she fails to maintain her dainty composure around food. Mary Anna once had a birthday party for Sadie – with cupcakes for the human guests. During the birthday commotion, the cupcakes were disturbed and before one tumbled to the ground, it was caught in mid-air by the Chocolate Lady!
Sadie hasn’t always been so thoughtful; like thinking only of the mess a cupcake would make if it should land on the floor. As a pup she was all over the place and just needed a bit of direction, so Mary Glynn took her to Wild Rose Kennels for a bit of training. She passed with honors and is now a certified Canine Good Citizen despite a rocky start: during the first class, when all owners and dogs were seated in lawn chairs in a circle, Sadie pulled Mary Glynn and her chair over and unceremoniously dumped her in front of everyone. Sadie showed no remorse.
Despite the chair incident, Sadie is very intuitive and seems to naturally know when a family member needs a few licks or kisses for comfort. When Mary Anna was dealing with a breakup with a young boyfriend, Sadie was sympathetic, sought her out and stayed by her side offering support and doggie kisses. As a Mama’s girl, Sadie also needs her special time with Mary Glynn. When Mary Glynn comes home from work, Sadie will look at her with her now graying Labrador face and bark until she takes a few minutes to sit on the sofa with her, just the two of them. All girls need time with their special girlfriends, especially at the end of a busy day.