Golden Retriever 6 of 1000

In Memory of Sasha

Thank you to our friend Elizabeth, a.k.a. Luna's Mom, for helping us to keep rolling with the 1000 Goldens Project. We are so excited to share her story of her family dog Sasha. It seems extra special to share this story near Mother's day, as it is very clear how dear Elizabeth's Mom is to her. 

by: Elizabeth Bergesen

I have never known a dog that enjoyed the pleasures of ‘being a girl’ like Sasha did. Sasha loved getting ‘dressed up’ and my mother found simple amusement in dressing her up in various clothes. Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, or just for fun, Sasha was always sporting a hip look and enjoyed posing for the camera.  

In January 2009, Sasha was diagnosed with Histiocytic Sarcoma/Malignant Histiocytosis, along with splenic erythropoiesis. The doctors told my mother Sasha had six months to a year to live; she managed to fulfill only one of those months. On March 13^th, 2009, just nine days before her seventh birthday, Sasha passed away. She died in her sleep, at her old home in Brier, WA – where she had brought us so much laughter, and shown us so much love. She had fought bravely against the sudden onset of her cancer and the resulting splenectomy, but it had all been a bit too much for her body to take.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of having such a close companion knows what it’s like to lose that friendship. Sasha was a wonderful companion, a true friend, the consummate loving Golden Retriever. She was brought into our family as a young, vivacious puppy and had grown into a beautiful adult. Sasha loved to be with her family, and her family loved to have her close to them. Whether it was on the couch, on someone’s bed, or just in our arms, Sasha would be there – happy as could be.

There has always been a special connection between my mother and Sasha and it was always known in our family that Sasha was ‘her’ dog.  I think my family was very lucky to have had Sasha as part of our family. Sasha had unique, individual, loving relationships will all of us and she will be missed dearly.

This is dedicated to my mother.

Comments

[Thor]

Sasha was so beautiful. Thanks for sharing her story with us.

Love,
Thor

[Sara Alves & PU]

Sasha is beautiful! she was a lucky girl :)
lot´s of licks pu

[Buddy]

Sasha was one of my very best friends. I miss her so much.
I know I will see her again one day. Until then, I hope she is watching over me.
Buddy (www.myspace.com/buddyinpines)

[Janet]

Thank you for the wonderful tribute to our baby. She will be in my heart forever. 1000 goldens is a great project. I couldn't think of a better breed to honor.
love Mom

[Bari]

What a beautiful girl Sasha was. Our time with these beauties is short under normal circumstances, but losing them as early as we did is just wrong. Thanks for sharing your story!

[Life With Dogs]

Beautiful post, you really did do a wonderful dog justice.

[Janelle]

Although Sasha's life was cut short, it sounds like she had a good one! I'm sure she is very happy now, just as Golden's always are! Great story. Beautiful girl!

[Kristin (Honey's mom)]

Wonderful! Love Sasha and the joy she brought. Sasha looked like a real charmer, and character, wearing the bandana. What a love!
Kristin (Honey's mom)

[Tracy (scooby's mom)]

Great story Sasha like all goldens sounds like she was very special. I feel your mothers pain of losing her as we just lost our golden scooby on sunday to the same disease.