and a big hug!
It's so sad for me to write about her in the past tense. We got her as a puppy 13 years ago. We trained her very well and she didn't have a mean bone in her body. We used to go to antique stores with her constantly because it was an activity we could do with her, and she was so well behaved that even places that wouldn't normally allow dogs, allowed Maggie. As she sniffed the old furniture and rugs, she would turn heads and people would constantly ask to pet her. She loved kids, other dogs, cats. When we started raising chickens, we never needed to protect the chicks from her, she would never attack anything. We took her everywhere. To parks, to the Tulip festivals in Holland, trips all around Michigan and the UP, two trips to Florida, a trip to Louisiana, a trip to Iowa, stopping along the highways at random antique stores just so we can walk Maggie around. Maggie has been to Antiques Archeology in both Iowa and Nashville. I have probably thousands of photos of her, camping, going on hikes, being a social butterfly at large family gatherings. Truly a wonderful dog, and I'm not embarrassed to admit I'm crying as I write this.
Young Maggie playing with a kitten (youtu.be) Maggie running in the snow (youtu.be) Maggie at Bontia Springs dog park, Florida (youtu.be) Maggie showing off tricks (youtube.com)
"Bedewed with tears I have carried you, our little dog, as in happier circumstances I did fifteen years ago. So now, Patrice, you will no longer give me a thousand kisses, nor will you be able to lie affectionately round my neck. You were a good dog, and in sorrow I have placed you in a marble tomb, and I have united you forever to myself when I die. You readily matched a human with your clever ways; alas, what a pet we have lost! You, sweet Patrice, were in the habit of joining us at table and fawningly asking for food in our lap, you were accustomed to lick with your greedy tongue the cup which my hands often held for you and regularly to welcome your tired master with wagging tail. " -Ancient Roman Dog Tomb
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