Maggie

11 years ago I walked into Red Dog Golden Retriever and asked for something furry, healthy and happy. So with a grin they let me into the pen with 8 puppies. I had a seat amongst all of the tail wagging, sweet breath smelling and pointy puppy teeth nipping at any exposed skin. Amongst the 8, I noticed this little girl looking up at me. Her gazed fixed on my eyes waiting patiently for me to acknowledge her. When I starred back into those deep brown eyes, I knew I had found Maggie.
A few weeks later, I got to bring her home. I�ll never forget her first ride in the car and my first experience being Maggie�s human. It was about a 45 minute ride and of course I did not have anyone with me. Maggie was on the front seat. As we were driving up Sugarloaf Road, she started to climb over into my lap and then up my chest. I was thinking �oh how cute� right before she barfed up her lunch onto the front of my shirt. From there it was watching her explore the world and grow into a beautiful sweet heart of a dog and my own growth into becoming a better human being as a result.
I took her everywhere as a puppy. Every place I went, she went. In the car, out hiking, to parties, restaurants, everywhere we could go together we went. Even into stores even if it meant telling a little fib when they asked me if she was in training, I would just smile. Complete strangers would look at her and smile as they passed by or stop me on the street and ask to pet her. I was a better person by association.
During those early years, I was fortunate enough to work from home. I spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with her for the first 2 months of her life. It allowed me to encourage the good and discourage the bad which resulted in a dog that rarely needed a leash, barked maybe 16 times in 11 years and was pretty convinced she was a human. We listened to each other, trusted each other and a strong bond developed.
In her adult years, we continued to do as much as we could together. Jobs changed, we moved around some and she got to become the unofficial resort dog of Gold Lake Mountain Resort. While the resort did not allow pets, when we were closed she would hang out in the office with me. I will never forget how she would run after Dwayne in the maintenance truck or be riding shotgun as he did work around the resort. She thought she was in heaven the few times she sniffed her way into the kitchen and helped herself to the bounty of scraps on the floor behind the line.
We moved back down to Boulder when I got into graduate school and the mountain dog became a city dog. Maggie quickly understood the wonders and convenience of living right by Boulder creek, wearing her doggie life jacket and kayaking with me and my friends. We did a couple of river trips which combined two activities we both loved, camping and rafting.
Maggie had this great stuffed animal quality about her that was just very gentle and approachable. If I could not bring her into a store, she would be tied up out front and I would walk out to find her being petted and hugged by strangers who felt the irresistible urge to pet her and could feel the welcoming energy she radiated.
Maggie became the unofficial mascot of my graduate school class. She went to functions, tailgates, parties, mixers at the school and was even the subject of a few of my projects. This allowed her to come to class with me and see where I went all day. Maggie always thought she was missing out, when the truth was I would have gladly traded daily routines. During the video at graduation, the both of us even made one of the shots with a heart around our photo.
Onto a new job and out on my own again. Maggie and I had our adventures hiking in the mountains, snow shoeing, X-country skiing, raft trips and just knowing that the other was always there marked these times. Knowing she was home waiting for me helped me through the day and that she would wag her tail and just be happy to see me was something that would make my heart smile every time I walked through the door. My routine would involve getting out and getting some exercise with her every day. Either hiking or playing in the creek and of course throwing the ball in the park.
At this point, my office welcomed Maggie and she got to spend time at the office with me. Not surprisingly more people knew her than the quiet Eric. Maggie would walk around with one of the office staff and deliver the mail, getting petted everywhere she went. She got to the point of sleeping in the lobby or under the receptionist�s desk. She was pretty unique where people found her irresistible and suddenly the rules were bendable. She seemed to respect her talent and enjoy the access while not abusing it.
Susan joined our crew back in 2007 and we became 3. Maggie and Susan would run errands together and chase the ball and learn how to walk on a leash. We went camping and found which motels would allow dogs for our travels. In all honesty, Maggie looked much better from here on in, as Susan would take very good care of her grooming and made sure Maggie was included whenever possible.
Maggie had a way of smoothing out the rough edges of the world, including my own. She was my first experience with unconditional love and it tempered the angst and frustration I felt with the world. She did not care what happened that day or how I behaved, Maggie just loved me for who I was. I often thought I did not deserve her understanding and affection. She just provided it with no expectation of a return. I realized what it meant to have someone completely reliant on me for everything and the responsibility that came with that. I felt the deep sadness and sorrow when I learned she had a malignant tumor at 3 years old and what it meant to have the resolve to do what it takes to help her get better when fate dealt Maggie a hand she did not deserve. We went through 3 more rounds of cancer and the unfairness of life. Through it all she was always a sweetheart. Her gentle and kind nature was part of her DNA. It was like she was an old soul.
The ups and downs, the good times and bad, the reflection she caused me to have on my own life and the love we shared has made me feel more human and I believe a better person as a result of having Maggie in my life. For this I thank her. For the times when I did not deserve her unconditional love and she did not care, I thank her and most of all I thank her for allowing me the privilege of being her human. Maggie you will be missed.