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 have no words. I am so sorry. Am dreading the same day in our home with our Sadie Love and Lily Pad. Hugs to you all…find some white fur on the floor and bottle it up!
I’m so sorry for you. : ( My saddest memories as a child all involve various pets’ dying – we become so attached to them, don’t we?
I am so sorry for your loss and know what a special blessing a loyal and wonderful pet is. Bless you for loving this wonderful creature!
They really and truly are like having a child and unless you’ve been through it you just don’t get it. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. It’s just so hard. Thinking of you guys.
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your dog-child, Maggie. Pets are our precious angels here on Earth. Maggie now has her wings. Hope your family can find comfort in that Maggie is no longer suffering and is happily running in heaven. God bless!
Oh my heart just hurts, the tears won’t stop…I’m so sorry. This makes me especially sad because I know our beloved Kalli is getting on in years and I just can’t stand the thought of her not being around…we love her so much.
I’m so sorry! Maggie sounds like such a precious family member.
Trixie
totally teared up…of course it didn’t help that I just had the scare of my life with our 9 year old yellow lab on Monday when she was hit by a car…and coincidentally just posted about it today as well. She’s doing okay after a stay at the vet clinic and some pain meds…but may never walk on her back leg again. However, it’s just a truly amazing thing how these animals really touch your heart and come to be a real integral part of family. It sounded silly for us to be “praying” for her to be okay after the accident, but it was bound by almost a decade of memories….your story was such a sweet look at her life. Thanks for sharing, I know it was hard.
Oh, so sorry to hear this. What precious photos to have to remember her always.
I’m so very sorry. What a hard lesson to learn at such a young age. Will be thinking of and praying for you and your little guy.
Thinking of all of you! : )
I totally “get” what loving a dog is all about. And, sadly, I also “get” what losing a dog you love is all about. I’m incredibly sorry for your loss and for the sadness your family is going through. It sounds like you gave Maggie a great life! Hugs
I’m so sorry. We also have a 12 year old yellow lab named Maggie whose days are numbered. I need to go give her a love….
We just lost our lab this January and it was one of my saddest days on record. Pets are the best kind of people, albeit furry ones. I know Alex’s little heart is hurting like crazy-my little people had close to an Irish wake for our Kramer. Hope sunnier days are ahead.
So, so sorry! I am a dog lover through and through and this post definitely makes me cry. We have an elderly, too and I have often thought about how it will be for my kids when we have to say good-bye. Dogs don’t live forever, but oh, the joy and companionship they bring to our lives while they are here!
I am so sad for you all. We are entering into the exact same experience. Our first baby Bailey is sick. It breaks my hear and will inevitably break the hearts of my kids. I will keep you all in my prayers.
So sorry! What a special pet! We have had to say goodbye to a cat, but I dread the day when our Alex has to tell his dog goodbye …
Oh girl, I’m so sorry. I’m crying with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Nothing like your family pets.
I’m sobbing over here… We have a Boxer who is turning 6 this week. My husband got him for me when he was five weeks old – on the first Mother’s Day after I had a miscarriage. That sweet dog is like family, and when I was pregnant with my little girl a few years ago, he would lay in the bed with me while I was on bedrest. When something happens to him, we will be devastated. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. :(
You brought me to tears today for two reasons – one, our 3 1/2 year old Leia looks just like Maggie – they could be twins – and I dread the day that we will lose our baby. And also because Leia has been sick this week and we were just at the vet and I have been complaining about dealing with her and her problems, blah, blah, blah and, well now, in light of your post, I will complain no more and be grateful for her unconditional love.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Boo Mama,
I enjoy frequently visiting your blog, and today I felt particularly connected with your sweet family.
I’d like to invite you to visit my blog today, to see my Golden girl, and to know that my heart knows just how yours feels today.
Blessings,
Brooke
I’m so sorry! :(
I am so sorry for your loss. Maggie looks a lot like our Daisy. We got Daisy awhile after I lost my Jack Russell, who I had for 14 years and he grew up with my boys.
Love and Hugs,
Patty
Ohh, I am so sorry for all of you. It is so hard to go through. 4 years ago we lost “Chip” and it hurt more than I had expected. It was hard to watch our 18 year old grieve a dog that had been there almost his whole life up to that point. I send you all hugs…
Crying with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to loose a pet that is a member of your family. Praying for you.
So sorry for your loss — a boy never forgets his first dog. Alex might enjoy seeing “My Dog Skip” after the wound has healed a bit…
I am so sorry – thoughts are with you as you miss your dear Maggie.
Oh, BooMama. I am so sorry for you and your sweet family. Our family will pray for the “Maggie hole” in your hearts.
I’m so sorry! I know that animals are just that-animals not people,but that doesn’t mean that we don’t love them from the very tip of our heart straight up to the top. I’ve lost many pets so I understand how you feel.I’ll be praying for all of you,but especially Alex. HUGS!!!
I’m so sorry…love and hugs and prayers.
My best friend’s lab, named Maggie, who looked JUST LIKE your Maggie died last year. She was 13. This just made me cry and cry and go out and hug my dog.
Oh, goodness, we had to do that last year and it was devastating for our boys. It’s the saddest I’ve ever seen them, and they STILL talk about Ellie. Nathaniel, who was almost 6 at the time, prayed that God would help Ellie join a club in Heaven. He wanted to be sure she found friends there and wouldn’t be lonely.
So sorry. Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to our sweet dog (11 years old). They really are family, aren’t they?
Oh my, did this post cut me to the quick. I’m not even going to pretend it didn’t make me cry. I’m so very sorry. I’ve been through this, and it HURTS. Praying for your family.
Sweet Maggie, what a beautiful girl she was!!! I have been crying for you all. She looked exactly like our (3) Ladies. The First lady came about 3 years before our son. We lost her when she was 11. Lady Girl was next and she died very suddenly at age 2. Finally Lady Virginia entered our lives with her cohort Beau. What a team they were!!! They lived to be 15 and 16, leaving us 28 days apart. She had the same problem with her back legs and was so tired of not running and playing. Beau had been sick 2 years before, but rallied to his old self. Then when she was gone, he gave up and died of a broken heart.
May your sweet Alex find comfort with his Ally. Thank goodness our son was grown up. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
I’m so sorry for you loss. Thank you for sharing these treasured memories with us.
Sending hugs your way.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” Mark Twain
Condolences.
Oh, I’m so very sorry. Makes me want to cry. It hurts so much to lose a beloved pet. My little one loves our cats and dog, too, just gets so excited when he sees them running around. And just yesterday I was wondering what it would be like for him when the time comes to have to let them go. A verse that comforted me, and that I hope will help my little one, is Proverbs 12:10, which says, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal” (even by letting those animals go to be free from pain).
Well, dangit, that last picture and last paragraph just DID ME IN.
I am just so sorry… I’m sure your sweet Maggie was a part of your family… I pray the aching sadness doesn’t last too long…
I’ll never forget the day (as an adult) I lost my beloved Sheltie who grew up alongside me. Like your Alex, I was devestated. I still miss my sweet Taffy. She was the best dog I’ll ever own.
I grew up in a very happy-go-lucky family (I was by far the dark cloud of the clan) and when our beloved dog died, I don’t think any of the four of us spoke for three full days. We were so, so sad.
Weeping for you and for me. We just went through the same thing a month ago. It’s so hard….so sorry.
I am SO sorry for your loss. Pets are such a part of our families. May knowing that you gave her a loving home bring comfort to you and your family. May the memories bring joy in the midst of your sadness. We are still going through this. Three weeks ago our beloved cat, Toby, (15 1/2 yrs old) died. Some days are better than others but through it all I am just so grateful to God for blessing me and eventually our family with him(I had Toby before I met my husband. Our kids are now 7 & 5). Toby adored all of us and we miss him dearly. May God comfort you and your entire family.
I shouldn’t have read this on a Friday before work….tears!!! So sorry for your family’s loss!!!
Oh my heart is broken. I get this I really do.
Oh no….I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear Maggie. She looked like a beautiful dog and family member.
You filed that beautiful prose under rambling, it should have been under love. I am so sorry for your loss.
Brought me to tears…I lost my baby almost a year ago now and it’s a loss I haven’t experienced before! She was my “first” furry baby as well as baby, she was a black lab named Chopper…I had my son 3 years after I got my baby, then two years later my daughter.
I lost Chopper on Easter last year…the worst Easter ever! I had made the decision to put her down the next day, same thing, tumors and walking was so difficult, and the look in her eyes was to let her go.
She was always stubborn and liked things her own way…so to go on her own made me happy!
I still cry thinking about her, and I feel for you and your family!
Two and half weeks later, Annie, a golden colored labradoodle bounced into our lives! She has never taken Choppers place, but filled a huge void in our hearts.
All the best to you and your family!!!
When we had to have our lab, Toby, put down, the vet gave us a book for our grandson – “All Dogs Go To Heaven.” It was a comfort for all of us.
It’s sad to lose a beloved pet, but so much harder to watch your children grieve over the loss. We’ve done it about 3 times now with different pets and it’s always so tough. Thinking of you guys.
Oh, I am so so sorry….I know how hard that is. Praying for you guys!
No words… just tears.
I’ve been reading you for over a year–you always make me laugh or smile. This time I cried–I’m so sorry–such a beautiful dog, and obviously so loved.
thinking and praying for you.
I am so very sorry for you loss. We lost our precious Gracie, our 12 year old Rott, a little over a year ago and it still hurts at times. Praying for comfort.
Oh, the tears! My heart goes out to you all. I know exactly what you’re going through.
So sweet and sad. I can still remember saying goodbye to my childhood pup like it was yesterday. She had always been my best pal. Now we have a 6yo and a dog that will likely live a good 6 yrs more. But still, I dread like crazy the day our Boo says goodbye to his Elvis. (btw – we have called our son boo since he came home at 5 1/2 mo old from Korea. one of the reasons I started reading your blog! HA! now I just love how you share life so generously!)
That is a beautiful tribute to a faithful friend. . .actually, TWO faithful friends. Sorry for all of you. That last photo broke my heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Having recently gone through the loss of one of our beloved cats I know it’s so hard to watch our kids say goodbye ((((BooMama))))
Rebecca
How I feel your pain. We just lost our beloved cat we had for 15 1/2 years. You can ready my last post. I’m so sorry.
Ugh. So heartbreaking. We had to do the same thing with our beloved Kelly. She was in our family for 15 years. It is painful and devestating. I’m so sorry for your family. I’ll be praying for you sweet friend! Especially for Alex!
Oh, BooMama, I’m so sorry. We had to say goodbye to our cat Frankie in October, and without a word of a lie, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. Hugs to you all.
So sorry, sometimes love is hard isn’t it.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sophie. It’s devastating to lose someone who’s been a member of the family for 12 years. Our pets are like our people: others may come into our lives, but each one holds a special place in our memories and our hearts.
Love you,
Diane
I’m so sorry for your loss, especially for poor Alex. We have 2 dogs, 1 & 2 years old, never had dogs before, I can only imagine what you are going through.
Aww I’m so sorry to hear about Maggie! It’s amazing how much of an impact animals make on our lives and how they just become like one of the family. I know you guys will miss her but it looks like you have some very sweet photos to remember her by.
Dogs leave very special places in our hearts. I was craying by the time I got to the end of your tribute to Maggie. What a special dog!
I’m so sorry for your loss. The tears are rolling. I just know we’ll have all our pups with us in heaven. Billy Graham alluded to it once and that’s as good as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to me. Til then may you be comforted.
My husband lost his dog Maggie almost the exact same way last year. It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to a pet. My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Oh Sophie…I can hardly stand this. For your whole family, my heart is so sad. I hope Alex is doing ok. Heck, I hope you are all doing ok. I remember one of our dogs had cancer and my dad took her to Mississippi States vet school and check her out. Oh, yes we did. The cost was going to be high and her odds were not good. We had her put to sleep a few months later. I’ve never forgotten it.
Our dogs are family. I get it.
Love,
Fran
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sophie. I started crying mid-way through your post and still the tears are flowing. Those photos are priceless. It’s a tough thing to lose a dog you’ve loved so much! Tell Alex we are thinking of him!
Our pets usually represent the very best of us – our openness to love, nurture and laugh. I’m sorry for your loss – bless y’all –
My heart is aching for you, and the pain is more acute due to the fact that we may have to put our own angel face darlin’ down due to tumors and dizziness. Praying for you….
So sorry about Maggie. Crying a little for your family, and a little for the thought of that happening to our family in the not too distant future.
Well you made me cry just like Marley & Me always does. That was so so sweet. My mom has poodles, one of which is 12 years old. I don’t know what will happen when he passes, the day may be declared an annual family day of mourning in Sami’s honor. Mom’s female royal standard poodle, Suri, had a litter of pups in November. This week they lost 2 (Lionel & Ritchie) to a parvo outbreak, my dad held Lionel at the vets office until he was gone. We’re keeping watch over Shaq & Delilah for the next few days. After that I think Delilah may come to my house & grow up with my 3 month old son. Make sure you get all puppy shots as scheduled!
Sophie
I am SO SORRY for your loss
I know she was your family and I am sitting here in tears over the precious hole that has been left in your hearts
May God remind you of all the sweet and fun moments with Maggie
Much love
Kim
Well, I am just too pieces right now. Big ol’ crocodile tears are just rolling down my face. I am sorry about your family’s loss, and I’m especially sad for that sweet, precious little boy of yours. I remember being about that age dealing with a similar situation with our black Lab. At least you do have some great pictures of the two of them through the years that I imagine will bring you all some comfort when you look back on them.
That last picture is so dear, sniff.. Rest in peace Maggie.