Sweet Sophie crossed over the rainbow bridge on December 15th, 2015, a few weeks short of her 15th birthday.
Sophie had not been her normal joyful self for over a month and the veterinarians were unable to pinpoint the cause of her unhappiness. After what seemed like endless testing and drugs that did not help her, she was eventually diagnosed with an aggressive vaginal tumor. The next day, we made the decision to put Sophie to sleep.
I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that Sophie had one of the more unusual journeys for a Muttville dog. It started in early November 2013 when we began fostering her. Within a week, we had already found Sophie’s forever home on the other side of the country: an old friend (and ex-neighbor) of mine who resides in Bethesda, Maryland was most enthusiastic to adopt Sophie. So would begin a new life for our papillon!
On Christmas Day, my husband and I boarded a flight to bring Sophie to Barbara. Sophie travelled in the cabin with us and didn’t make a peep the entire six hours. We arrived Christmas night with Sophie in her little black bag. She immediately took to Barbara, jumping right onto her lap as if they’d known each other for years. It was love at first sight! Sophie also seemed very interested in her new siblings – four cats. Barbara had a beautiful new pink collar all ready for Sophie (with her name and phone number on it), as well as a matching pink leash. We stayed in the DC area for a week and finally bid goodbye to Sophie and Barbara.
About eight weeks later, Barbara had a medical emergency and was hospitalized for several weeks. She realized she could no longer adequately care for Sophie and asked if we could come back and pick her up. Barbara and I had agreed before Sophie’s adoption that if Barbara ever became ill that we would do so. So on March 9th, my husband flew back to retrieve Sophie. As one can imagine, it was awfully hard for Barbara to say goodbye – and equally hard for Sophie – for they had really bonded. I assured Barbara that Sophie would live with us forever even though we already had two other dogs at the time (Sierra and another Muttville dog we had adopted named Bonny).
Over the next six months, Sophie got reacquainted with her canine siblings and they all figured out amongst themselves where to sit on the couch or the bed without disturbing one another. We went on some really fun camping trips in California and Oregon that summer. Sophie loved the great outdoors and car trips.
As Sophie and I grew increasingly attached, she began following me everywhere around the house with great gusto. I could never be out of her sight for a moment. She would sit on a chair next to mine while I worked at the computer, often for hours at a time. Barbara called every several weeks to check on Sophie, always curious to see how her little girl was doing and expressing regret having had to give her up.
In September 2014, I had an accident and was immobile for almost 5 months. During that time, Sophie stayed glued to me. I will never forget it for as long as I live. She was so sweet and dedicated. I really felt that she knew how much physical pain I was experiencing.
Once I was moving again, we enjoyed many lovely days together. Most mornings we would drive to Lake Anza in Tilden Park and take a brief stroll. Sophie loved all the smells in the park although she never was particularly social with other dogs.
As hard as it is to say goodbye to Sophie, I know in my heart that she was so lucky to have found not just one but two forever homes to spend her remaining years – one in Bethesda and one in Berkeley. Thank you so much Muttville for bringing Sophie, the delicate flower, into our lives.
Sweet lost Sophie, her whole like has turned upside down. Her daddy died and her mommy went to a home. Sophie lived in the same home for 12 years and is mourning her family. She is a delicate flower and will need time to feel loved and secure. She would be best in a very calm environment with a nice lap for her to warm!! She weighs about 8 pounds!
Read a loving tribute to Sophie from her adopter.
