About twelve years ago David and I drove to Woodville, Mississippi one Sunday afternoon to pick up a 5 1/2 week-old puppy. We named her Maggie. And we loved her like crazy.
Six months later Ally joined the family, and she was the best thing that ever happened to Mag. They were fast friends.
Alex came along four years after that, and the dogs loved him instantly. Maggie especially seemed endlessly fascinated and maybe just a wee bit puzzled by the little creature who cried a lot, but she was always so gentle with him, and she always wanted to be wherever he was.
From the time Alex started walking, he could not get enough of the big furry dog. Whenever he saw her he would scream, “GEE GEE” – and then he would barrel toward her and pet her and giggle like crazy. Maggie pretended to be indifferent, but I’m pretty sure that all the attention tickled her to no end. She’d see that little guy coming and wag her tail in spite of herself.
Two years ago we noticed that Maggie had what we guessed was a cyst on her right side. We asked the vet about it at her check-up, and he told us to keep an eye on it. Over the course of a few months it got considerably bigger, so we went back to the vet for x-rays. The cyst was actually a tumor, and it was inoperable. Plus, the vet said that Mag would never recover from an incision that size, so he recommended some medication and told us that he couldn’t really give a prognosis. We just had to wait and see.
By this past Christmas the tumor was so large that it affected Maggie’s ability to walk and run. We held out hope that her medicine would help, but by February there were three new tumors, and we knew there were going to be some sad days ahead. A couple of weeks ago Maggie started to lose the use of her back legs. She would try to stand up, but her legs wouldn’t always cooperate. It was heartbreaking to see her struggle.
Last week David talked to the vet, and we knew the end was near. We explained everything to Alex so that he’d have some understanding about what was coming. It was the first time I’ve ever seen him devastated.
And last Wednesday morning, the little boy who has pulled on Maggie and patted her and sang to her and walked her and fed her and loved her like nobody’s business – well, he said good-bye to her. She died a few hours later.
It was a very sad day for our little family.
We miss you, Maggie Belle.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Pets are such a special part of the family, it is so hard when they go.
It’s too early in the morning to be losing it, but I am. So sorry for your loss :( I know it’s devastating.
I had tears in my eyes at the first paragraph and now I’m crying. So sorry for the loss of sweet Maggie. I understand the pain.
So sorry. Such sweet pictures. We went through the same thing with our 11-year-old beagle last year. Annie was my oldest son’s birthday present when he was 7. And our 8yo thought Annie belonged to him. Heartbreaking.
Oh that makes me cry. We lost my pup in a similar way. Her body was so full of tumors by the end that she stood in the middle of the room and whined because she didn’t want to lay down. We took her to be put down that day. I am so sorry for your family.
I’m sorry for your loss. They for sure are part of the family. We’re a dog family too. That’s hard.
(((Hugs)))
Isn’t it funny how we become attached to animals like that? We had a sweet yellow lab that we cherished so and he died of heart failure about 18 months ago. We were all so sad. We now have another lab who looks very much like your Maggie. Think I’ll go give him a big ol’ hug and a biscuit! Thanks for the story.
I am so, so sorry for your loss of sweet Maggie. She sounds like an AMAZING dog.
So sorry for your loss.
I’m crying for you now. We know how heart breaking losing a friend can be. My sister just recently posted about a very similar circumstance over at her blog. Your pictures reminded me very much of our dear sweet Callie.
http://lilies-of-the-field.blogspot.com/2010/03/in-loving-memory-callie-jane.html
Oh. My.
I am so sorry.
There is nothing like the love between a boy and his dog.
BooMama, I’m so sorry! I’m crying, too, as I type this because the love for dogs is so special. We lost our chocolate lab Hoss just this past August, and it is still so tender for our whole family, even my five year old. And we lost Bubba a few years before that to a tumor in the same way you lost Maggie. There’s just no way to describe the connection to our pets. Praying for you guys!
I am so sorry. She was such a beautiful dog. And obviously very loving and lovable.
I am so, so sorry. You have lost a member of your family, and it will take a while. Thanks for sharing with us. You’re all in our prayers.
You don’t know how badly I wanted this to be an April Fool’s post. I’m so sorry about Maggie. I hope Alex’s heart heals quickly… and yours, as well.
I was crying because my bestfriend lost her beloved lab, Abby, Tuesday night while she was out of town for the week.
When she left Sunday everything was fine, but they are not sure how, she got sick fast and died at the hospital two days later.
We are all heartbroken for her, as this was the only pet her three girls ever had, and she could not be there when they got the news.
We love our pets!
I’m sorry. We went through this same hard time a few years ago.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I bet Ally is getting lots of extra hugs right now! I had to put my cat to sleep a couple of months ago and it was so sad but I know it’s going to be so much worse when it’s time for my dog.
Oh, this makes me so sad! I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes. I know that was a sad, sad day. I cannot even imagine how I will bear the day when something happens to my Calie girl.
Hugs, Faith
OH MY….What a sweet story!! I’m going to miss that sweet Maggie!!
XOXOX!
Oh, I meant to say that I hope Ally will be okay with not having her best bud around. I know that y’all are giving her lots of love too =)
I love dogs in general, but the retriever family holds a special place in my heart. They are the most even-tempered, loving dogs and by far the best choice for a family with small kids. The only downside is that they don’t stick around quite as long as littler breeds.
I had a golden retriever who died at 12 a few years ago. While we’ve since added a new pooch to our house that we all love, I can say that I can’t wait to get another retriever in a few years. You just can’t beat them.
Oh my…sitting here shedding tears for you all. Hugs to all of you cause the death of a much loved pet is just flat hard!
I think most all of us have stories of the same type of heartbreaking sadness that comes with the loss a pet/family member. Each time you hear a family going through this it brings back the emotions as if you are going through it all over again. The days leading up to the loss, knowing as a parent what you are going to have to do. Man that is so tough, so gut wrenching – and so obviously still haunting me from this time last year.
{Squiiiiiiiidge.}
I’m so sorry, Boo-family. I’ve lost several beloved four-legged family members in my life and I miss them. A lot. What I LOVE most about them now is how their legends and their loyalty continue to bind the people who loved them together. When we’re all together (my Dad, Mom and sister and I) we still tell their stories and laugh and sigh together and it’s just … good. I can’t wait to see all of them in Heaven (and I do believe they’ll be there, or it won’t quite be Heaven to me, sorta like if Heaven didn’t have Nutella, which I am sure it does because Nutella is God’s perfect food) and thank them for that little unexpected gift they’ve given us many years later.
Hope Maggie continues to bless you all. I know she must have been a very happy dog and I bet she smiled all the time about being part of such a great little family.
Oh Sophie, I’m so sorry for your loss of Maggie. But may I say that having that sweet dog all the time Alex has been growing up plays an important role in Alex’s loving nature. I am totally convinced that if you teach your children early in life to love pets and to take good care of them, you are teaching them to love others.
A child that is loving toward their pets grows up to be a nurturing person!!
You are blessed to have all those pictures of Alex and Maggie!
I am so sorry to read this. And I hope you have a poster of that last photo up in some place of honor in the house to remind you of all the beautiful moments you and Maggie brought to each other. Thanks for sharing this lovely story.
I’m so very sorry. It’s so hard to lose them.
This hits close to home. My parents have a female yellow lab named Casey. Casey will be 16 this summer. Casey and I grew up together.
She has had fatty tumors for years. I see that she is starting to slow down but am in denial about it.
They really are a huge part of the family aren’t they? I am so sorry about the loss of your Maggie.
I’ve been praying for you guys. Love you so much!
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry :(
I am so sorry for your loss. Maggie was well loved. Well done, Alex!
My heart is breaking for you. I love my dog so much, and just thinking about the day we will lose her makes me cry (she’s had lots of health problems so we’ve had to face that reality more than we’d like). They are such loving creatures, and we are so lucky to have them. It’s clear sweet Maggie had a great life and was loved! Thinking of you and your family.
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
We too have a yellow lab and crazy enough, her name is Maggie Belle! She was our first child (we joke that she is our first CHILD and Charlotte was our first BORN) and is an integral part of our family.
Our oldest, Charlotte, adores Maggie. They sleep together every night and are as thick as thieves.
I fear the day this comes knocking on our door.
I pray that Alex will always remember what a special dog he had.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our yellow lab died unexpectedly last May, on the very last day of school. It was such a shock, since he was really still a puppy. My oldest adored that dog so much. Praying peace over your family right now!
Oh Boomama…so very sorry!
I wish I could say something magical to make it better. Pets are so much more than just pets! They are a part of your family.
Our own Maggie (a black lab) is 9 years old, blind and just had her own bout with something that she nearly died from.
We had actually said our goodbyes too. But, somehow….she miraculously recovered. I’ve never seen a dog this sick live. But this sweet girl did.
We know that she can’t be with us forever…so we are cherishing EVERY SINGLE MOMENT with her.
I will pray for your broken hearts.
Isn’t God so good to share such precious loving creatures with us? I feel honored to be blessed that way!
BIG HUGS to all of you sweet people!
Oh, my heart breaks for your family, especially Alex. We just lost one of our two dogs and it was really hard on all of us.
Bawling.
so sorry for your loss! Dog’s are such a blessing…such unconditional love!
Oh my! I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Maggie! This post broke my heart this morning and I’m sittin’ in my cube wiping away tears.
What a beautiful way to remember her with this post. :-)
Bawling! (It could be because I have my little Corgi snuggled next to me as close as he can be.) I am so sorry.
I’m so sorry. Losing those fur babies hurts, for sure. She was a beautiful dog.
I’m so sorry.
I am so sorry to hear about Maggie. We lost our 10 year dog six months ago to the exact same thing. My husband and I grieved so much for our dog. I still cry whenever I talk about him. We have a new puppy that keeps us busy and has brought fun back to our house. He even does some of the same things our old dog did which makes us happy.
My heart sank when I saw the title of the post. I’m so very sorry. I lost my own Maggie 4 years ago, and I still remember how soft her ears were.
Your Maggie was so beautiful, and I’m sure she knew she was well loved.
sniff. sniff. My heart breaks for all of you. All the happy pictures you posted and all the happy memories you mention are what I’m praying will stir some sweetness into the sadness for Boofamily.
That is very sad. We had to put down two dogs within 2 months of each other. One suddenly, and the other we nursed for 2 months before having to say good-bye.. There are no words to describe that pain..
I am so sorry. Saying goodbye is hard enough for us, but having to guide our children through it (twice now) has been the hardest thing ever.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our sweet Murphy in October after a battle with bladder cancer. He was such a dear part of our family and we still miss him terribly. We found a book called Dog Heaven which really helped us come to terms with our loss. We are just starting to be able to talk about Murphy again without getting tears in our eyes.
I feel like I was reading the story of my own family when our black lab Max died when I was a senior in college. He and I grew up together. From one dog lover to another, I am so sorry.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I am crying like a baby here at work. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things in life I think. I hope you will soon be able to look back an laugh about the good times.
We have a 4 yr old lab that looks nearly exactly like your Maggie. While she makes me a bit insane, she is my 3 yr old’s bestest buddy in the whole world. We’ve had her as long as he can remember. I dread the day this happens to us.
What I life your wonderful Maggie had. To be so loved by your family, to have such a special relationship with your son.
I am so sorry for your loss. A pet is such a huge part of a family.
so so sorry. As a fellow lab-lover, I know that bond between a lab and “her” kids. Will be thinking of your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a pet. Your post made me cry for Abby who passed away over 10 yrs ago. Sounds like she was such a blessing to your family.
Oh, sweet family! I am so sorry. Praying for you, as you miss your family member, Maggie. Love y’all!
What a sweet pup Maggie was! And what an even sweeter thing that she will be Alex’s first and lasting memories of the love of a dog. Makes me want to go hug my freckle-faced monster of a mutt a little closer today…
I am so so sorry for your loss. We lost our Joe in June of last year. It was one of the worst days of my life. I think about it a lot, just this morning, in fact. I still cry and I miss him all the time. We are lucky that we still have his pal, Luke, but it isn’t the same.
Our daughter would not walk for ever and then, when she was exactly 11 months old she got up and walked to Joe. He is woven into all of my wonderful memories of my daughter.
So sorry… we just lost our first married pet and the hurt is still fresh. It’s such a hard thing. Sending hugs…
Oh, Sophie, this makes me so sad; I am very sorry. This is near and dear to my heart because I love doggies. Oh I love them! And right now, our 14 month old is attached to the hip with our Molly, a 9 year old black lab, who loves him right back. And I dread going through the day you all just experienced. Hugs, sister.
Oh, now I am crying at work! I am so sorry for your loss. We just put our 10-year-old chocolate lab to sleep last fall. My daughters were just devastated, well so were my husband and I. Vegas was just the sweetest soul and I still miss him daily.
My heart just breaks for you and your family. It’s just the hardest thing to do but one of the great responsibilities of being a pet owner. We lost our dear kittie last year and I dread the day our beautiful golden retriever will be gone.
Crying sad tears for your family–I’m so sorry! We’ve been there, and it just breaks your heart, especially for your child. We lost our fur boy 2.5 years ago at age 13, waited a year to get our current fur boy.
The pain will subside, but the love will not.
Nate’s Mom
Oh Sophie,
I am so sorry for your loss. We have three pups and the oldest, who is a boxer, is beginning to decline. I’m not sure how my man will ever cope with losing Bo…in other words, we totally relate to animals being part of the family. Will definitely keep your precious family in my prayers.
So sorry to hear about Maggie. It’s hard to lose such an important family member. I don’t have any children, so my dogs are my kids. I dread the day when we say goodbye to Macie and Mojo. My prayers are with you guys.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My Cecilia is tracking along Maggie’s story. She has a large tumor that is interfering with walking and running. So far we are managing well with pain meds (the Tramadol / Rimadyl cocktail is a miracle worker), but I know it is a matter of time. Praying that you all are comforted by His peace that surpasses understanding in this sad time.
Oh, Boo, I’m so sorry for you. We have a 10 y.o. lab Cosmo who could be Maggie’s twin brother, and he is the CORE of our family–he loves us all even when we don’t love each other (or deserve to) some days!!! If we as people could be as kind and forgiving as our dogs we’d be much better people, so my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family–losing a furry family member is terrible stuff.
i really didn’t need to start bawling first thing this morning. oh how dogs break my heart.
Ga! I’m so, so sorry for your loss. I don’t get choked up often, but this did it for sure. I am dreading when this day comes for us and our kids. Pets are such a special part of the family.
tears and coffee….I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Maggie…losing a pet is so difficult. I’m glad that Alex was able to tell her good-bye.
Your doggie looks rabid & vicious in one of those pics!
Sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry. I know what it is to have loved and lost one of those too-good-to-be-true Labs. And my sweet three year old nephew is growing up with a yellow Lab of his own. Her name is Maggie, too. I saw so much of R. in the pics of Alex with his Maggie. Praying your precious boy and whole family will be comforted.
TEARS! Oh my goodness what a precious story. It reminded me of Marley and Me. I cannot bare to think of my furball ever not being with us! I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s like losing a member of your family!
I am so, so sorry. That breaks my heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Almost 11 years we went to the shelter looking for a smaller female dog. We came home with a black male lab-mix. Didn’t know much about him. He was next to be euthanized. One day I will have to say good-bye to this precious boy. He is absolutely the best.
I am so sorry. So sorry for your loss.
And the tears are flowing and won’t stop. Such a precious post! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Can’t imagine how hard this must’ve been for you. I’m so sorry.
So sorry for your loss. Having been through this myself, I know how much you will miss her.
So sad! That brought tears to my eyes. I’m sorry for your loss.
Oh Boo… I’m so sorry. It just breaks my heart for y’all. But I can say we went through basically the same thing 2 years ago. You have such sweet pictures of the two of them. You’ll cherish those forever. Hugs.
Boomama, I’m so sorry about your girl. When I saw the title and the first picture my eyes started welling up with tears.
We had a golden retreiver for 6 years before my son was born… I always called her my firstborn because she had no clue she was a ‘d o g’ (we even used to spell the word in her presence). She was 13 when she passed and my son too was devestated (he was 7). I still cry on occasion when I think about my Cindy-girl. I have a scrapbook of pictures of her and whenever we miss her we sit down and look through her book… Jordan still has a picture of her in his room. These doggies, they’re family.
Our love to you and your family!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Our yellow lab mix is turning 13 this year, and I just savor every day with her because I know she is slowing down in her old age.
We are facing much the same thing with our ‘Mo. My heart goes out to you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is devastating. I did not understand that until we experienced the sudden loss of our Freckles… She was our first dog. My heart goes out to you and your precious family.
Jane (artfully graced)
I just read your post and it made me cry. Just last night, my husband and I were talking about when we would welcome our new yellow Lab puppy, whose name will be Malone, to our home. We lost our Molly in November and still miss her sweet, loving presence every day. We will never replace her or stop loving her, but are ready for another happy, smiling Lab face to warm our hearts. The name Malone will be to honor our Molly — remembering the song Molly Malone. Our deepest sorrow and understanding for you and your family, and comfort for the wonderful memories of your Maggie. Love, Annie Joy
I’m so sorry.
{{HUGS}}
Oh, I am so sorry that Maggie’s gone. My heart especially goes out to Alex. And I know your pain of losing her is magnified by his grief. I’m so sorry. I’ll be praying for you!
Mine was Dixie Belle, and a similar story. We were devastated. Some think it’s silly to be sad over a pet, but we’ll be praying for your family. It is certainly a sad time.
I’m sorry for your loss of Maggie. We had a chocolate lab growing up, CoCo. CoCo developd cancer at only 7 years old. She made it about another 18 mos after the first lump was found. Losing her was so sad, I couldn’t even eat.
Thanks for reminding me to remember.
Like a knife in my heart!!! We have an older yellow lab named Maggie, such a sweet dog, it’s so hard to think of the time we’ll have to let her go. Thank you for posting this, even though I know it tore you up. Love and prayers go out to your family while you’re grieving.
Oh, I feel you. My mom just had to put down her 12-year-old miniature Pinscher and it was very hard.
I am so sorry. Its a special kind of love, between child and pet, isn’t it?
My daughter laughed for the first time at our dog, mac…
I second the book Dog Heaven, (there is also one called Cat Heaven). Honestly, after having pets, I think Mac will be waiting on me just inside the pearly gates, with her big tail going thump thump when she sees me. (and you can tell Alex, that I believe Maggie will be waiting for him as well)
Many hugs~
Oh, I’m so sorry Sophie. I’m not even a dog person and this brought me to tears.
Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry.
We lost our dog a few years ago and my 8 year old still talks about missing “His Josh”.
Hugs.
I am so sorry for your loss. Our Maggie was a Chow named Amber. She was our baby before our real one. She’s been gone four years now. I still miss her.
I am so, so sorry for your loss. Our pets are like family members and losing one of them would be so devastating. My prayers are with your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a difficult thing for Alex to have to go through. Your story has me all choked up.
Aching and crying for you and your family. Beautiful pictures, you were obviously blessed to have her.