In Memory of Our Dear Friends

I adopted Madison (aka Maddie) from HART in August 2001, just days before 9/11. Madison passed away at 5:20 AM on March 2nd after a short illness. She was had seizures for about 2 months, was in and out of doggie ICU with IVs and lots of meds, and then was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

The best way to remember our pets is to think of the love and laughter we have shared.

She was my constant companion and we lived in 4 states together - Virginia, Florida, Iowa, and Texas. She logged many miles in the SUV that was not really my car - it was her car. She also spent a great deal of time in Kentucky at my parent's house. That is the house and the yard she would most likely call her "home".

She was the first dog that owned me so on the first night I brought her home I didn't know what to expect. I figured she would miss her dog momma and cry all night. I put her in the bathroom with some toys, towels and a blanket. I didn't hear a peep from her all night long. The next morning I figured the bathroom would have puppy poop and pee everywhere and she would be frightened. But the bathroom was clean - the little (18 lb at 8 weeks) munchkin was just sitting there in the floor looking up at me with the cutest little look and that puppy tails just wagging. She looked proud that she held it all night.

The same exact thing happened on night #2, so after that my bed became her bed - up until literally the hour she died.

She snored so loud. When I would go home to my parents, my mom and I would sit in the living room and laugh because we couldn't tell if the snoring was coming from my dad or the dog.

She was so sweet. That is the one word I would use to describe her. Even people who didn't like dogs always fell in love with her. I had the words 'sweet and special' inscribed on her urn tag, just under her name.

One day I came home from work, and my niece was living with me. She was 19. Madison was goofing off and trying to get my attention - as usual. And she was doing something so funny. Me and my neice were standing there laughing and I said "look at her, isn't she sweet and special".

My niece cracked up. So that ended up becoming one of her (many) nicknames. "Honey Bunny" was another and "Monkey face" - sometimes she just looked like a monkey.

Maddie's most favorite past time was giving kisses and love. Maddie's most favorite person on the entire Earth was her soulmate, sister, and best friend Jade - and the two of them spent many hours curled up together in bed, lounging on a couch, sharing food, or walking. Another special person in Maddie's life was her nephew Zachary - who misses her dearly and says a special little prayer in her memory. The first people to love and spoil Maddie were her HART foster parents Nancy and Erin - who nurtured me through her puppy trials and tribulations.

My mother said she truly did not live a dog's life. For every little blessing we gave her, she gave us 100 back.

She was just so young. 6 years, 8 months. I just feel like she didn't get to live 1/2 her life. Just last fall, I had already been getting sad that she was going to turn 7 in June, and was thinking we would most likely be hitting the 1/2 way mark - hoping she would live to be at least 12 and most likely 14 or longer. I am so thankful for her and everything she brought to my life and everything she taught me along the way.

I am thankful I was able to hold you as your took your last breaths and found the peace that had eluded you in your final days.

There will never be another Maddie!

I just wish she had more time with us here on Earth.

Eternal love from your momma - Tracy Blake

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