The Power of a Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way

From men and women to fill our day;

And when we are certain of sorrow in store,

Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware

Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,

With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!),

When the spirit that answered your every mood

Is gone-whether it goes-for good,

You will discover how much you care,

And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

- Rudyard Kipling

Maddie ~ Forever in Our Hearts

It was a special day when you came home, looking like a golden fluffball bear. I can still see you running across the front yard, bounding up and down over the blades of grass. You touched so many during your time here. You will always be special. You were stubborn and made many of your own rules. But you trained your people well, and for good reason. They needed you as much as you needed them. Your life wasn't always peaches and cream, ACL repair before you were a year old, arthritis early on. The chicken bone that seemed like such a good idea when it went down, didn't seem so good when it came out surgically.

You made sure that Dad got at least two walks a day whether rain, sleet or ice. You loved to walk on your trail. Little dogs were your favorite. Laying tight to the ground when you came upon a little dog to make yourself seem small so as not to scare them and to let them know you were a friendly girlie. Snow angels after your walks. You loved to lay in the snow banks in -40 degree wind chill and look into the wind and smell the cold air.

Always insisting on a game of tug after dinner, good for the digestion you tried to explain to Dad. If you saw him dozing off in his chair you would make sure he got a good nose poke under his arm to wake him up.

You were Mom's company during the day and protector when you were both home alone. You layed on the kitchen tile and talked to her while she cooked. Like clockwork at 3:30 you alerted that it was time for your snack and at 4:30 you were ready for the big meal.

And then there is Mike. Yes, your boy, who you watched grow into a man. It was always a special day when Mike came to visit. While you didn't see him everyday, when you did, you made sure he knew just how much you loved him. The tail would start to wag as you saw his car pull into the driveway and by the time he got in the door your whole body would wiggle back and forth with joy.

You lived in the moment each day. A lesson we all need to practice more often. Time is short and precious we must not waste it.

You died in Mom's arms, you tried to look at her to tell her you were going to go now and then you were gone. As you headed over the bridge it got easier to walk and then run and you breathed a sigh of relief. You had made it!

Gone but never forgotten,
Godspeed Maddie!
March 27, 2001 - November 27, 2008

Maddie

Our dear friend Maddie has been sick lately. So that has kept us busy with updates, visits (me only, Reese was only recently given the okay by the vet to visit), and temperature checks. Madders is very fond of her food, your food, anyone's food...you get the idea. About a month or so ago she decided she wasn't interested in her food, which is very unlike Ms. Maddie. After a vet visit she was diagnosed with an infection of unknown origin and low thyroid. She was put on some meds and sent home but soon worsened. She had more tests and a biopsy and was found to have a non-specific liver problem, or hepatitis. She lost about 15 pounds, and was very weak. It was touch and go for awhile to see if she would pull through. But she is a stubborn girlie and this was not her time to go. She has been making great progress, but is still not completely her old self. Will see what this week brings. We are hoping and praying it will be a week of steady improvement and gaining strength. She loves to play in the snow and make Golden Retriever angels in the yard after her walks. Get well soon Maddie....the snow is coming!