Saide came into our lives 9 years ago this Christmas. She was a present for my little brother and I. She was the sweetest Golden Retriever from the first moment. Today is December 23, and today we had to let Saide go after a long hard fought battle with cancer. Today has been so hard because she was one of us. She showed every emotion possible. She was my mothers best friend. I can't even begin to describe how much she meant to us and what a wonderful dog she was. For many months my mom would travel two hours just to take Saide to a cancer speacialist to receive chemo treatments. Saide enjoyed going, she always enjoyed car trips, but most of all she enjoyed the speacial attention she received from her doctors. Saide's back leg had to be amputated due to the cancer, and in the end this gave her the most trouble. After her last chemo treatment she went down hill and became weak. Getting around on three legs became almost impossible for her. Saide, being the kind of dog she was would wag her tale when we spoke to her just to try and make us happy! I know Saide hung on as long as she could just for my family's benefit, that's jsut the way she was. We knew it was time for her to go, so we arranged for the local vet to come to our house where she could be put to rest in her own home with her mommy right beside her the entire time. This was very comforting to know that she didn't have to worry about getting up to go to the vet. Saide would have wanted it this way. She loved her mommy more than anyone else, and I knew she was ready to go. Saide is in heaven now, running around on all four legs chasing grasshoppers just like she used to. When I picture Saide in my mind, I see the healthy Saide I once knew who alwaays had a grin and a wagging tale. My mom whispered to Saide right before she went to sleep, that one day she would meet her at the bridge, and knowing Saide, she will be there waiting. I hope this story will let everyone know how much Saide meant to me, and how much she will be missed, but unless you knew her you would never understand just how sweet and innocent she was. I love you Saide