Dear Madison,
I always knew there was something special about you when I met you at the animal shelter, even though I was picking you up for someone else. As fate would have it, we were destined for each other. Through a strange turn of events, you ended up as my pup and my best friend these past 15 years.
As a college kid the odds of me keeping you alive were slim to none, but you stuck with me and guess what??? We did it! You survived coming to class with me every day, UCLA band practice and my endless young adult drama and tears. The day I graduated, I felt like you had graduated too, but guidance counselor didn’t seem to think you needed a cap and gown; however, I felt otherwise. You had to sit on my lap for hours during lectures and TA sessions…you definitely earned your degree too. I am painting a very sweet picture of you, but let’s be real…you were a VERY naughty puppy.
Remember the time when you literally ate my homework one night. I mean really, Madison?!? That is the oldest trick in the book. I remember when you thought it was funny to grab one end of my tearaway pants in the UCLA quad area during lunch and make a run for it leaving me well…well, lets not go there.
Through all of the tears, sorrow and heartbreak we have been experiencing the past few weeks without you, we have had some seriously good laughs telling stories about you. It seems that almost every story of you begins with…
“Do you remember when Maddie ate…”
- my roommate’s down comforter and it looked like a flock of geese had been shot
- a drawer full of my undies
- a fresh pot of stew, licking the pot so clean that we were confused as to why someone would leave a clean pot on the ground instead of putting it away. It wasn’t until dinner we figured out what went wrong
- until she fell asleep in her dog bowl
- 2 pounds of candy in my car and had I found you laying on your back with piece of candy hanging out of your mouth
“Do you remember when Maddie…”
- leapt out of the car while driving to chase a squirrel
- ran a half a mile to my car to make sure she didn’t get left behind on a road trip
- had to sleep with a leash attached to my wrist because she was the most untrustworthy puppy EVER
- broke ceramic dog bowl after ceramic dog bowl because she liked to flip them when she was hungry (note, I did not learn my lesson and kept buying you a new ceramic bowl)
I could go on forever about how naughty you were, but really you were the most loyal companion a girl could ever have. They weren’t lying when they said dogs are a girl’s best friend.
I remember when…
- You were up, pottied and in my car at 6:30 every day ready to drive with me to UCLA happy as ever just to spend the day with me
- You would pretend to be human and sleep on your back in my bed under the covers
- Travel numerous times cross country only caring that I took you with me
- You would lick my face endlessly when I was crying
- Put your paws over your ears when I would belt out singing in the car
- Greet me excitedly and tap dance for me at the door each and every time I left you
- Love me unconditionally…ALWAYS
You have always been up for an adventure. You have driven and moved all over the country with me with only one request…to not be left behind and to be loved unconditionally. You were my very best friend, my constant companion and my first true love. My life is forever changed because of you. You taught me that sometimes life has such a bigger plan for us than the one that we have for ourselves. I could never figure out why I decided to take on a puppy in college while working 3 jobs, twirling for the band, being a sorority officer, but I did. You led me to Memphis, your other constant companion who hated going to the bathroom anywhere but the dog park. And that ultimately led me to spending every free moment I had at the dog park every night and weekend waiting for Memphis to pee, which led me to meeting Ryan, your dad for the last 9 years and my life partner.
While my heart is still very broken, I am so grateful that you chose me to spend your life with and will never forget you. Forever in my heart you will always be, my Spirit Dog. I miss you every single day.
We, Ryan, Eddie, Digger and Memphis love you so much Miss Maddie Moo. We hope you are chasing squirrels and eating to your hearts content in doggie heaven.
Rest in Peace my
sweet dog,
I love you always,
Your Best Friend-Veena