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.