My Best Friend

It seems like only yesterday you were no bigger than my hand. At only five weeks old, we brought you home. You were a tiny, but chubby, brindle-colored ball of energy. 

From the beginning, I was your momma. During your first weeks with us, you were up many times during the night for a pee. You'd want to stay up and play and as exhausted as I was, how could I say no to this sweet tiny creature?

During the day, you slept in a laundry hamper beside me while I worked. As you grew, the hamper could no longer contain you, and it was then that your curiosity began.

We laughed as you raced around the house with your toys. We had to be constantly on guard, whisking you outside for a pee or at least trying to make it to one of the many pee mats we had around the house. Sometimes you made it, sometimes not, but with lots of love and care, you eventually learned. 

The cat was curious about you from the start and wanted to play with you. He was much larger, and you would shriek out with fear if he even looked in your direction. 

We would go for hour-long walks, and you would come home and crash, only to be ready to go out again in an hour. The house was littered with dog toys, but I loved it. You liked to play, and had abundant energy.

Wherever I was, you were always there beside me. My sidekick and companion.

The years have passed, and our walks are much shorter and slower. Sometimes we make it around the block, sometimes only just a few houses down the street. You love the warm weather, but the heat is becoming very stressful for you. During the summer, cooler evening walks are better, but you don't enjoy them as much since your vision is not as great as it used to be. You get spooked by shadows in the darkness and short of breath more. You easily choke on your food and sometimes even when drinking water.

Your hair has started turning gray. Your bright eyes, once clear, are now clouded with cataracts but still as beautiful. Your hearing is no longer the best, except when treats are being opened.

Watching you age over the past few years is hard. You move slower and sometimes your joints hurt. For your safety, a baby gate has become a permanent fixture at the top of the inside stairs. A dog ramp adorns the staircase at the side of our house, so you can easily get to the yard without falling down the stairs.

As you have aged, we once again have a pee mat down in the bathroom as your bladder cannot hold it all night.

No longer able to jump up on the couch to rest, we have many beds on the floor for you to choose from. ​You bark at us when you want to be picked up and cuddled. When we do lift you up onto the couch to snuggle, we have to make sure one of your soft beds is at the end of the couch on the floor in case you decide to jump off. Your joints are a little more sensitive and jumping to the floor ​usually means many days of you limping.

You have gained a little weight, and we are trying to help you lose a pound or two. You have a lot of skin tags that older dogs can get and some need lots of attention to keep clean, but I don't mind. Your hair may have grayed, but you are still so sweet and sometimes get mistaken for a puppy.

Anywhere I go, you follow, never letting me out of your sight. You don't like to be left alone for any length of time and get easily stressed if anyone packs a bag, especially if it is your "mommy". I make sure to tell you I love you and that I will be back whenever I leave. When I leave the house, you spend your time sleeping on your bed by the door, waiting for my return. The excitement you show me when I get home is unbelievable and makes me smile. 

You are still so previous, and I love the way you snuggled close to me during the day and every night. I value every moment with you, Maggie, and I can not imagine a more perfect companion and best friend. You are a part of our family, not just a family pet.

Your love for me is so unconditional. You have shown me every day that, "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than she loves herself".

I am so thankful to God for giving me my furry, sweet Maggie to love me and value all the time I have with you. ♥

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I started writing this blog in 2024 and planned on posting it before the end of the year.

Sadly, my sweet girl passed away suddenly on Jan 7, 2025.

Losing my beautiful Maggie is one of the hardest things I have ever had to experience. The grief I feel is as strong as if I had lost any other family member. For those who do not understand, I am sorry that you have never had such a strong, loving bond with a four-legged friend as I did.

Maggie, you are my sweet girl and I will love you forever! ♥

Above all...Maggie, I know in my heart that one day I will see your beautiful sweet face again in eternity.♥

♥ Your Mommy