This weekend, we received some sad news. Maddy had to be put to sleep. Becca, Erin's best friend, who adopted Maddy from us when we moved, said that Maddy had been in a lot of pain recently. She couldn't walk the stairs and was having kidney problems. She was 11 1/2 years old, pretty old for a big dog.
Needless to say, we were all sad. It was like losing her a second time. Aidan was especially upset and kept saying "I am not ready for Maddy to die!" and was very upset we didn't go home at Christmas so he could have seen her again. He cried and cried. Lainey cried a bit, but she doesn't remember Maddy as our so much as a dog she visited in Michigan. I was sad, but only cried (and then cried A LOT) when Becca posted on Facebook that her daughter was watching the movie "All Dogs Go To Heaven" because that's where her dog is now.
So here's my tribute to my first baby:
We adopted her from the Humane Society in 1999. She was my Sweetest Day gift from Jason the year we were married. She was always a sweet and loving and mostly well-behaved dog. She didn't mind being left home alone while we were at work and made a great watch dog. She always put herself between me and any workmen who needed to come in. She could look tough and mean to strangers, but those who knew her know that she'd never hurt a fly. When we brought Aidan home, she warmed to him immediately and loved her baby brother. She'd lay next to him in his swing, sometimes nudging the chair a bit with her nose if the swing stopped. She let him, and later Delainey, crawl all over her, tug her ears, pull her hair, whatever. If it ever bothered her, all she'd do is lick them, knowing they'd stop if she did. She was a great help to me when the kids were babies, as she'd clean the floor around them and their high chairs after meal times! She would wake up with me and come in to the nursery for late night feedings and started sleeping in hallway at night, instead of in our room, once the kids were born-she was on guard for us all. Of course, she wasn't perfect, being afraid of thunderstorms made her dig holes in our carpet, but she was one of the best dogs I've ever known.
Leaving her when we moved to Switzerland was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. But we did it for her. She was used to a big yard, and wouldn't have that in our small apartment. Plus, I don't think her nerves could have handled the flight. We are so grateful that Becca and her family took Maddy in and made her part of their family and loved her for the last 2 1/2 years. We are even more grateful that Becca let us come visit her when we were in Michigan. I'll never forget how when we went to see her this summer, after 18 long months away, Maddy remembered us all! She came right to me and cuddled with me and Aidan and Delainey. When we finally left (with Aidan sobbing crocodile tears), Becca told me Maddy cried at the door for a long time. Maybe she knew it was the last time she'd see us.
Maddy, I hope you've found a big yard to romp in up in Heaven with all the rawhide bones and treats you can eat. I hope you're up there playing with and protecting all the babies and children who went to Heaven too soon. I'm not sure if "All Dogs Go To Heaven", but I'm certain that's where our Maddy is.
1 comment:
Awww Christine! I am so sorry.
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