The Simple Things: A Trubute to Maggie

My beloved little sweet pea, Maggie, passed this week. She struggled to make it but couldn't shake the awful pain and the fever despite doctor visits and medications. On Monday morning, I looked into her eyes and I knew it was time. She needed me to let go of her so, the pain would let go of her, too. Taking her in to the vet to let her go was one of the hardest things I've ever done but I am happy to have been by her side when she needed me most, just as she was at mine as my amiable consort for all of our years together.

Yesterday, Sweets dug her grave in the back yard under the butterfly bush she often stopped to rest under. Janice, Cynde and Jeanette arrived with flowers from their gardens. We all said a few words about her life with us, laughing and crying together. Then we lowered her into the ground, placing rocks on top of the box and sprinkled handfuls of dirt on top. Janice did some Buddhist chanting for her and for Quentin, who is also mourning her in his own, doggy way. We all took turns filling the grave, passing  shovels back and forth. I took a few minutes alone in the front garden, cutting a bouquet of flowers  and herbs - rosemary for friendship, roses for her sweet nature, Mexican sunflowers and cilantro to acknowledge her Mexican chihuahua roots, echinacea for healing and hydrangea because they look as blue as I feel. Together we all laid our flowers on the earth mounded over her grave and hugged each other.

Over the past few weeks, Maggie and  I spent many long hours together out in the backyard together. Often as soon as the sun came up, I carried her crate out and let her sniff the breeze. She was happiest out there. On Sunday, we let her rest in the yard as long as she wanted. A nice shady patch of grass was all she needed. Laying there, barely able to lift her head, she wagged her tail when I spoke to her.

I had that little girl for ten years. She just had the sweetest disposition and exuberance that often gave me pause to admire how happy she was made by the simplest things. So here is a list of simple things that Miss Maggie Aldente loved the most.

Roasted chicken

Feeling low branches of weigelia and butterfly bush brush her back as she walked beneath them

baby carrots

sitting on my lap in the car

wearing a sweater in the winter

a cool drink of water

tummy rubs

her daily yoga routine

waking up early

feeling a breeze

sleeping on a special pillow set on the chaise lounge for her

stretching out on the back porch

greeting us at the door

visits from her Aunties Janice, Cynde and Toni

bacon

sleeping on my head

opening her Christmas stocking

curling up next to me for a snuggle

basmati rice

scrambled eggs

hunting down any unsuspecting groundhog that dared to cross her path

taking a roll in the grass

having her coat brushed

warming up in the sun's rays

sitting in the shade

sharing the couch with Quentin

having her picture taken

hearing the leash jingle knowing it was time for a W-A-L-K

Auntie Janice spoiling her rotten during doggy sitting visits

being praised

my Grams

having nicknames -Maggalicious, Maggie-Poo-Poo, Magnadoodle, Mags, Sweet Pea

sleeping under the covers

Today is the day Christina at Soul Aperture is hosting a celebration of simple things. Please stop by there to visit her and other bloggers taking a moment to savor the good stuff.

Enjoy the simple things in life.

Maggie sure did.

Comments

[kristen]

a lovely tribute to your fur-baby. i'm sorry for your loss. go easy my friend. xo

[lisa]

beautiful love.

[Caroline]

This brought tears to my eyes...you write this tribute so beautifully. Our furry friends are our soul partners here on earth. I love my doggies and can't imagine the day... So sorry for the loss, but Maggie is wagging her tail and running around pain free :) Her spirit will always be with you!

[leonie]

honey, so sorry to hear about your beloved friend.

and reading through your list of things made my heart smile

xo

[Gigi]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your list of the things Maggie loved is incredibly beautiful, as is your blog.
xo

[Shell]

I'm sorry about your Maggie passing. I'm glad you were still able to celebrate the simple pleasures you shared with her.

[kamana]

nicknames are so much fun and endearing :)

[Nicole]

Sorry to hear about Maggie, but how great that you 2 had each other. xx

[T-La]

This is really beautiful Roxy. I will always miss little Maggie.