At the beginning of June, my family said goodbye to my childhood dog Maisy. It was her time to go to heaven, and the 11.5 years with us were full of walks, belly rubs, snacks (both given and stolen), trips and naps. She is so loved, and was so gentle. She’d nudge us with her big black nose, and lick us on the face, and gave everyone an extensive (and loud) sniffing when they came to the house.
We think she knew she was rescued, and we always said she was so appreciative… she had a look in her eyes saying “thank you, I love you”.
Sharing a post-walk popsicle! Those little legs need a break.
4th of July at the bike parade in town, wearing her festive harness so she didn’t yank our arms off pulling on the leash… too many new smells for a little dog.
Maisy was a rescue, just like our cats. We adopted her in February of 2010, when I was 12, and my siblings were 9 and 6, and she’s the first and only dog in the Williams family. We had always been big into adopting instead of shopping for pets, and man did that strengthen as we watched her change. She came to us underweight and anxious… the SPCA thought she may have been out in a recent storm that totaled at almost two feet of snow. No one ever came looking for her, and I’m so glad they didn’t because it means we got to take her home. She was about 2 or 3, and was a mess.
When she came home to us, she started out eating puppy food to put some weight on her. She started to “thicken up” if you will, her fur got darker and brighter, and a identifying black spot of fur on her tail showed up. She was getting healthier, and more social. By May of that year, she rolled in the grass for the first time, showing she trusted us, and that became her thing. She’d get out, head to the grass, and hit the ground. All we had to say was “bellies?” and she’d flop onto her side for us to scratch her little round belly, which was covered with spots like a cow.
Our lives revolved around taking her along when we could, and making sure she was never alone. Maisy was the sweetest, most gentle dog, and was always right under our feet, as close as she could get to her family. She loved her cat siblings Marshall and Gwen, and even the deer in our neighborhood weren’t phased by her. The most aggressive thing she ever did was lick, and she didn’t even mind a yank on the ears (or as we called them, “ponytails”) by a kid. She never ran off, just took herself on walks toward the Chessie without asking. She never passed up an opportunity for a treat, or a shoulder rub, or a chance to lay in the sun in the dining room. We’ll miss the “click click click” of her walking around the house, but there will always be memories of her in every room.
Too hot out for dogs.
Watching dad with the popcorn at the local drive-in theater…. is he going to drop any? How fast can she get to it?
Hiding so she didn’t have to get a bath.
Ride in the Jeep to dog camp!
From June forward, 50% of each order of a Custom Pet Portrait or Dog Collar Bandana will be donated; 1/2 to Edgewater Animal Hospital, and 1/2 to the Rockbridge SPCA. Maisy was nothing but good, and we hope to do a lot of good in her memory.
To donate to Maisy’s Memory without a purchase, use the button below. Each donation will be split between EAH and the Rockbridge SPCA.
We love you, Maisy.
- M