Last night I lost my dog Maggie. She was three months shy of her 13th birthday and though a little creaky and long in the tooth, she had more energy than any 10 people in the room.
I got her when she was five weeks old and we’ve been through many adventures over the years. Some good. Some bad. But she was always there, right by side, raring to go wherever I went. And many times, it seemed she was the only friend I had in the world. And believe me, that was enough. No matter how bad things got, I always knew there was one ‘person’ in the world who truly loved me no matter what shape I was in.
She loved…
Cats
Eggs
Chasing squirrels and lizards
Barking at possums
Going for a ride
Chasing the ball
Going for a walk
Bones
People
Me
Sleeping on my bed
Bunching up my rugs
And if you scratched her chest, she’d stand on her haunches for hours – just to make it easier for you.
Anybody who ever met her, loved her. You just couldn’t help yourself but fall for the funny little dog who seemed to have a permanent smile on her face.
She didn’t love…
Dog food (people food was so much better)
Mail carriers
Anybody who scared her cats
Eye drops, medicine or vaccinations
Going to the vet’s
Being dressed in elf, Santa, or baby outfits (although she loved her jingle collar every year)
Last night, she went out into the backyard and charged an unwanted guest. I heard her barking, but I thought it was the possum she was barking at. The one who likes to climb along our wall. It made her happy to bark at the possum, so I didn’t call her in.
Then the barking stopped.
Then my room mate screamed my name.
The unwanted guest in the yard was a coyote.
We rushed her to the emergency vet. She was struggling to breathe but she was awake and alert and moving. I thought she’d be okay.
But the vet was taking too long to talk to me and I knew. The injuries were too severe. Her windpipe had been punctured. She had too many injuries. My white shirt was soaked with her blood.
We said goodbye and then she was gone.
My life was better because she was in it. My life will never be the same now that she’s gone. I will miss her more than I can say.
Anita, I’m so sorry for your incredible loss. What a beautiful tribute to the ‘person’ you love, and who loved you too. That love will exist forever.
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Evangeline,
Thanks so much for your kind words. You’re right, the love never dies.
❤ Annie
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I am really sorry for your loss. Maggie looked like a sweetie. Rest in Heaven dear Maggie.
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Thank you, Elva – you’re a kind soul. 🙂
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So so so sorry for your loss….
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Thank you. I just hope she’s happy now, wherever she is. ❤
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I’m sure she is writerchick ♥ I’m sure she is at peace…
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I hope you’re right A&K. And please, call me Annie. Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
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I know who u r – I met you through Maureen and ~m. I’m Annebella or once known as JavaQueen14 and changed blog addresses all the time, 😂 lol. I’m Annie too 😁😁😂
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Oh my gosh, JavaQueen! How are you? How fun we’re both Annie. I like it.
I just went to your blog but couldn’t figure out how to subscribe to it. Where are you hiding the subscribe button?
A
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Hi Annie, I’m not sure where I’m hiding the button, LOL! If you are a wordpress blogger it’s easy to “follow” but I’m not sure otherwise. It may just be the layout I picked. We’ll deff have to keep in touch, how have you been honey?
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Well maybe I’m just getting too long in the tooth to see the follow button – it’s certainly possible.
Except for the dog being attacked I’m doing pretty well. I’ve been writing a lot, published a few books, working on a new series. Life is actually pretty good. How’s about you? Yes, stay in touch. Want to exchange emails?
A
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Hi Annie: I’m so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Maggie was a great friend. Jesus said, ‘”Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). It seems to me that was exactly what Maggie did in challenging that coyote.
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Hi JOS,
I think you’re exactly right about Maggie and the coyote. For as much of a squirt that she was, she was fearless and fiercely protective. I wish you could’ve met her – she was really something. 🙂
❤ Annie
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I know what it’s like to lose a pet you love, so sorry for your loss of Maggie. I lost Boss a few years back and wrote this post https://warmwittywords.com.au/2014/10/01/we-didnt-say-good-bye-we-just-said-i-love-you-boss/ I just read it again and started to cry. They are always a part of our heart. Grieve with a smile in year heart for all those fond memories.
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Hi Donna,
I just read your poem for Boss – made me cry but in a good way.
Yes, always a part of our hearts. I don’t think I could forget Maggie if I tried.
Thank you for your kind words.
Annie
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Oh Anita, what a tragedy. I’m so very sorry. It’s obvious from the pictures what a sweetie she was.
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Hey Girl,
It really was a tragedy. But at least my Maggie went down in a blaze of glory. I think she would’ve liked that. Of course I’m biased but I think she was the best dog in the world. I’ll miss her for the rest of my life. And now the search begins for a new puppy…
Annie ❤
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I’m teary-eyed just reading this. I’m so very sorry for your loss. my “child” (a rescue cat 8.5-years-old) is my entire world. he has literally kept me alive on multiple occasions. and exactly as you said, sometimes our “fur babies” are the only friend we may have in the world at times.
it’s obvious you two had a wonderful connection. and it’s cheesy, but focus on the good times. ❤
I have told my guy that when my Zero passes, I will literally have to take off days of work for my grieving.
and I have to stop typing right now. as I said, I'm teary-eyed. problem is, I'm at work. XD
I wish you the best in your mourning, as well as your reliving the fond memories.
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Hi Belle,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt words. I can see you too are madly in love with animals. Frankly I don’t see how anyone couldn’t love animals, they make our lives so much better. I pray that your precious Zero lives a long and happy life.
I will always have wonderful memories of Maggie, because she was just the best. But I am getting a new puppy this week. Life is just wrong if I don’t have a dog in my life, you know? So there’ll be lots of new memories to make there.
Thanks again for your very kind words, they mean a lot.
❤ Annie
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I will probably do the same when Zero passes. and I do agree with what you said in a later post — Maggie would want you to still have happiness and comfort, even if it’s from another adorable critter. we love our pets, yes; but there is so much evidence that shows they love and care for us too. ❤
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I couldn’t have said it better. ❤
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Oh Annie ~ I’m so very sorry 😥 It looks like Maggie was a spunky one…I love the picture where she sticks her tongue out at the cat 🙂 Best wishes and hugs are on their way to you 🤗 Cherish the memories and enjoy making new ones with the new ‘baby’ ~Tina 💕
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Thank you for your kind words, Kristabella. Maggie truly was a special dog and full of spunk to the end. I’m sure she would’ve loved you. She could always root out a dog person. Baby Lily is a blessing to be sure.
Hugs to you too. ❤
Annie
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Awww…that’s such a lovely thought 😍 Thank you for that…makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside 💕
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You’re very welcome but I speak the truth, she would’ve loved you.
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