Sadie Jotwani

On Friday, January 9 at 11:12 a.m., I drifted away in my sleep to puppy heaven They say this is where all the good dogs go. Actually, they say that is where all doggies go. But my mom likes to think I am special, which I am. She believes puppy heaven is where I will find the best treats, the greenest grass, and plenty of energy to run around like my younger self, with not a care in the world. I do not know if any of this is true. But last week, when I left my mummy’s arms, she told me with all the love and tears in her eyes that it must be. It had to be. And if that means I get to watch over my mom for the rest of her life, the way I always did when I was with her, then I would like to believe it is true, too. If you did not know me, let me start over. But I will say this first: if you did not know me, I feel sorry for you. My name is Sadie. I am a Sheltie-Pomeranian Mix, and I was 2 months old when my mom found me at the rescue, A Forever Home, in Virginia. A nice lady by the name Tere was caring for me when I first met my mom - and it was love at first sight, for both of us. I could tell she was looking for someone to love and care for, and I needed both. I found her lap, and it was the most comfortable spot I had been in for a long time. So, I just settled in and took a long nap. It wasn’t long after that she brought me home. To our home. Over the years, we moved and made so many new homes, filled with new memories together. Some happy, some sad. I loved rolling around in the greenest grass, hopping through the snow, and even humping the giant stuffed toy my grandparents brought me for my birthday when I was a puppy. I loved kissing my human family - my grandparents, uncle, aunty, and all my mummy’s friends. Even though they pretended not to like it. Notice I used the word “pretend”. Puppaccinos made my eyes go wide every time. I loved long walks with my mom, for as long as the doctor would allow it. And when I couldn’t, my mom got me a stroller so I could still enjoy the city. You know what else I liked? Talking. It was my favorite thing to do. My mom knew when I was hungry, when I was happy, and when I was anxious (ugh, I hated going to the doctor). And she always knew when I wanted to tell her that I loved her. For that, I didn’t have to use my voice. I said it all the time, with my eyes. More than anything, I just liked being with my mom, wherever she wanted to be. She loved seeing me happy in whatever I liked, but I could tell what made her happiest was snuggling with me at night after a long day, wrapping her arms around my little body, and feeling my heartbeat against her hand. That was the last thing she felt before I took my final breath in her arms. I don’t like to talk about that day very much, because it makes my mom sad, even though she tried to do everything she thought would make me happy. We went to Central Park so I could sniff the grass, walked around our old neighborhood, rode in the stroller, and even had some nice salmon treats (oh, those were good. Mom will share a picture of how wide my eyes went while eating them). We also took a stroll through Petco, remembering our first time there together, when my mom was looking for food, a bed, and everything else I needed. It brings her peace knowing I left in her arms, in her lap. And just like our first time, it was the most comfortable spot I had been in for a long time. So I settled in once again, for the last time, and took a long nap. My mom often wells up knowing that now that I am gone, no one will ever say the words Nikita and Sadie in the same breath. There will be no one shouting “Sadie Jotwani, ready to go” at the hospital. So here I am, signing off one last time. Sadie Jotwani Proud daughter, best friend, and soulmate of Nikita Jotwani. I am always and forever yours to love and keep in your heart, Mumma. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you feel like doing something for me, you really don’t have to. I have everything I need. But if you’d like to help the good doggies who are still waiting for their person, you could donate to a rescue shelter. You can start with A Forever Home, where my story began, or any rescue close to your heart. https://aforeverhome.org/

Sadie Jotwani

November 29, 2011 - January 9, 2026