One Tough Bitch & Her Lucky Pack

It's been an incredible journey. Sadie nearly died 6½ months ago after she was bitten by not one but two rattlesnakes in the same day. Each morning I awake to Sadie having stolen my covers is another day to give thanks for a miracle. This dog is incredible. She is, as a good friend remarked, "One tough bitch." She is also a beautiful, affectionate and tenacious companion that defies stereotypes and beats the odds.

Her story has been featured in The American Dog Magazine as well as on DogCast Radio in two installments: Part 1 and Part 2. As a result, she's accumulated an impressive Facebook and Twitter fan base.

Should you find yourself similarly moved by Sadie's remarkable and death-defying story and/or touched by the actions of her alpha female and male, we welcome your friendship and support.

Additionally, we are thankful to all who have already donated toward our veterinary-bill debt. If you are willing and able, we thank you in advance for chipping in via PayPal at this link. We also have a fabulous collection of Sadie-inspired gifts on sale at the Smiles for Sadie CafePress store.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Sloppy Sadie kisses to all!

Reflections on an Incredible Journey

Sadie snores blissfully, nestled between her alphas in our bed as I write tonight. It's four months into the journey that started with tragedy, led me to create Smiles for Sadie Facebook Fan Page to maintain sanity during one of the most difficult weeks of our pack's collective life and ultimately morphed into something so much more meaningful.

Smiles for Sadie is more than a vanity project to showcase cute photos of our beautiful dog. This multimedia project is a tribute to a miracle and our goal to promote rattlesnake awareness for pet owners.

Friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and strangers worldwide have provided shoulders, prayers and dollars of support. Additionally, Sadie's incredible story has garnered unsolicited media attention.

In the wake of last month's feature in American Dog Magazine, I was delighted to this week hear the resulting podcast of an interview I had done with DogCast Radio a couple months back.

Julie Hill in England (!) discovered Sadie's tale on Facebook and invited me to Skype in for an interview on DogCast, which she's spread over two shows.

Part 1 aired this week and is available for download or streaming at DogCastRadio.com and iTunes. I am truly honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to run my mouth for Sadie and rattlesnake awareness. I hope our story serves as an important warning to everyone who enjoys the Great Outdoors with their pets.

Additionally, I hope Sadie Dog and we inspire and educate others who find themselves in similarly frightening and tragic situations. For this purpose, I continue to collect and display rattlesnake-awareness resources for dog owners. Thanks, Julie, and everyone for your continued interest and support!