Sadie

Sadie came into our lives in July of 2022. She was found as a stray in Texas and was captured and brought to a local high-kill shelter. She was a large breed, timid, black dog in a high-kill shelter - she would have been euthanized but was very lucky to be tagged and saved by Joyrides Rescue.

Joyrides Rescue has local fosters in Houston as well as throughout the Northeast, where the dogs have a better chance of getting adopted.

When we first agreed to take her in, we didn't know what to expect. She was our 12th foster at that point and the largest dog we ever fostered. I'll never forget the day she was dropped off at our home. She went into our small, fenced in yard and hid behind a rosebush for hours. You could tell that she had been mistreated by humans in her past and she was timid, scared and shut down. By the time we got her inside our house, she immediately went into the crate and wouldn't come out. We put some treats and a pile of toys next to the crate. Over the course of a few hours, Sadie peeked her head out and would gently pick a treat up with her mouth or pull a toy into her crate. It was the funniest sight because by the end of that first day, Sadie was surrounded by 30 toys in her crate. We knew that with time, patience and love, Sadie would open up.

Sadie bravely approaching me for the first time when she decided to leave her crate

Sadie opening up

Sadie at her first adoption event (what we didn't know yet was that she had already chosen us)

Sadie with her sister Kona

Sadie with her sister Kona

We took Sadie to an adoption event at a local brewery in Jersey City. She stayed close to me and was not interested in meeting other people. We fostered Sadie for two months but she had stolen our hearts from the first day. It felt like Sadie was a part of our family. We had spent a lot of time and energy earning her trust and trying to help her become a brave dog. Sadie started to open up and experience the world around her in a way she hadn't been able to in the past. It was such a change from the scared, shut-down dog that first walked through our door - Sadie had become a lovable, affectionate, playful, and adventurous dog that loved her family.

Since adopting her, Sadie has had many adventures in her life with us and she has also had the opportunity to be an incredible foster sister to so many pups that have come into our home. In many ways, Sadie had made fostering so much easier because she was able to help other timid dogs become more comfortable. She could read cues from the dog and play if they wanted to play, relax if they wanted to relax, and just show them how to be a dog again. She helped show them that there are humans you could trust and that will love you just as much as you love them.

Unfortunately, Sadie's story took a turn in August 2025. What had started as a short tumble down a couple of stairs, turned out to be so much worse. Sadie's balance was being affected by a rare disease called autoimmune meningitis, that was attacking her cerebellum. She was unable to do basic things like walk, play, sit upright or use stairs. She was on a chemo dose of steroids and was not responding to treatment. Her health declined very quickly over the course of a month, and after a conversation with the neurological vet specialist, we had to make one of the hardest decisions of our lives - to let Sadie go.

We think about Sadie everyday. While she may be gone, her spirit lives on in all of the fosters we have had that she has taken under her wing and showed love and kindness to. There are so many other pups in need like herself and dogs are being euthanized in high-kill shelters everyday. We were fortunate that Sadie made it out of the shelter and was able to bring so much joy to our lives.

This is why I have decided to run the Prospect Park Track Club's Endurance Fest 50k on 12/7/25 on behalf of Joyrides Rescue and in Sadie's memory. Joyrides Rescue gave her another chance at life. Through this effort, I want to turn loss into something that will help other dogs like her - dogs who are waiting for a second chance.

Sadie cannot be replaced, but I am grateful that I can honor her legacy and pay it forward. With every step, I’ll remember the bond that we shared and the memories that we made together.

Joyrides Rescue's Sadie Memorial

Foster Sister

Sadie would welcome every new pup with a smile and wagging tail. She was always eager to take them under her wing and show them the ropes. Each and every one always ended up becoming her little shadow.

Delilah & Sadie

Sadie & Carol napping

Sadie & Roxy patiently waiting for treats

Sadie and Roxy

Sadie & Armando

Sadie with Armando

Sadie with other foster siblings and friends

How do the donations help?

Every dollar donated will go to the non-profit, Joyrides Rescue. Joyrides Rescue is a small but determined group of tireless volunteers who believes every pet deserves a forever home. Your donation will help Joyrides Rescue with their life saving work and will help cover costs associated with vaccines, spays, neuters, microchips, heart-worm treatment, and even more extensive medical expenses such as surgeries, labwork, xrays and in-patient care for these animals.

Joyrides Rescue receives no government funding. There is no benefactor, no trust fund, no winning lottery ticket - they can only do what they do with your ongoing support.

Who am I?

My name is Andre, and I'm a former powerlifter turned endurance runner. My wife, Laura, and I have been fostering since January 2020 (currently on our 24th foster). Fostering has been an eye opening and enlightening experience and we feel a strong sense of purpose supporting this cause. Sadie meant the world to me, and I will continue to carry her legacy forward by helping other pups in need.

"Without a word, my dog taught me the meaning of love."

Sadie and I

Running the PPTC 50 Miler in December 2024

Miles for Sadie 2025

By Andre Santiago

Miles for Sadie 2025

Joyrides Rescue Fundraiser