Thursday, May 24, 2012

Dog Club ... Together Again


We always called it Dog Club, when Maggie, Bear, Jack, and Eddie would congregate on the bed in the morning. (Eddie was an honorary dog.) And yesterday we said goodbye to the last of the members -- old Maggie.

We've known this was coming -- she's grown more and more senile and anxious, increasingly terrified of thunderstorms and even rain. She would only go outside for the briefest necessary visits -- and then she became incontinent. 

It was time. I like to think the others were waiting for her and now she's running unafraid through those forever fields of moonlight.

(I wrote this some time ago... Maggie's been looking for her friends for quite a while now)

Moonlight floods the room
Scents of all outdoors drift through the open window.
 Old Maggie rouses, stiffly paces, 
Stands beside our bed, waiting.

Outside the night is calling.
Somewhere out there, Bear and Jack,
Dead these two years,
Course the forever fields.
The old dog waits.

 Released at last, she stands on the porch,
Nose tasting the air,
Then sets off, hind legs stiff,
 A slow trot into the moonlit night.
 
Two hours later, she returns, dancing with excitement,
A young dog again, it seems.
Where have you been and what have you seen, Maggie?

She keeps her counsel
But her eyes are full of moon light . . .
Her adventure past,
The old dog lies down to pleasant dreams.
 
 Maggie, aka Magnolia McGee McGoo McGurk
 1998(?) - 2012
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31 comments:

Ms. A said...

I do believe they are all together again... waiting for us (you) to join them. My condolences for your loss.

Unknown said...

I just love her name. Dear Maggie. I can't remember how to spell the Magoo Magirk bits now but I can say it and it sings in my head. I've been such a traveller lately.. I have lots to catch up on!

Reader Wil said...

A great tribute to Maggie! Taking leave of a beloved pet is hard. That' s the reason I don't take another pet. I feel sorry for you! I am sure Maggie and your other pets had a great life.

Martin said...

So sad to hear of Maggie's passing, Vicki. It's been a tough week or so for you and yours. I must have missed the poem, first time around. It's beautiful.

Alan Burnett said...

Lovely words - and images. We have a Dog Club of one - but one or many, they are thoroughly delightful companions.

Elora said...

Fourteen years of living! And most of it with the best family a dog could ever hope to have. Dog heaven.

Elora

KarenB said...

Your house must be feeling much more empty without Eddie and Maggie. I'm sorry. Saying good-bye to a furry member of the family is so hard.

Kath said...

I am so sorry. Your words, your love, are so deeply moving. Clearly all your animal family were not only completely loved, but love you.
Hugs,

Christine said...

So sorry about the loss of Maggie. glad the dog club is a pack once again and roaming together. I know you'll miss her.

Christine said...

So sorry about the loss of Maggie. glad the dog club is a pack once again and roaming together. I know you'll miss her.

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

Our sincere sympathy goes out to you.

Jean Baardsen said...

I'm not surprised that Eddie was part of the Dog Club. Who painted the wonderful picture of Maggie?

Anonymous said...

It's always so hard to see our loved ones slip away to another plane. Your eulogy for Maggie was so beautiful and heartfelt my eyes misted over.
Deana the Queena

Vicki Lane said...

Many thanks to all of you. As I said, we've known this was coming. Maggie had a great life but her growing confusion was making her unhappy too much of the time.

I painted the picture about eight years ago, Jean.

Barbara Rogers said...

A little slice of love and life has been cut and served elsewhere. The taste remains in our mouth with the memories. Nothing can replace what has been experienced except the love continuing. I am sad with you.

Jill said...

So sorry for your loss Vicki. What a beautiful tribute to Maggie.

Brian Miller said...

you brought me to tears...a wonderful bit of verse from you there...maggie was a beautiful dog...you put me right there in losing my own good friends over the years...

Jules said...

Vicki having lost two of our four so close together and watching a third as she totters about both blind and deaf but still enjoying the sun I know how very very hard the decision was even when you know it is best so my thoughts are with you x

JJM said...

My thoughts, too, are with you. But Maggie, young and strong and playful, lives on in your heart -- and in your books.--Mario

NCmountainwoman said...

What an insightful and lovely poem in tribute to a wonderful friend.

Godspeed, dear Maggie. Live your pleasant dreams with Bear, Jack, and Eddie.

Darla said...

Peace and blessings to you and your family; hard to lose such close friends. Sounds like it was time, and I love that Maggie no longer has to experience her fears. (((BIGHUG)))

Friko said...

Fourteen years is a very good age for a dog. I am so sorry you lost another faithful friend.

Oh dear, Benno is stiff and old and neurotic too, I can't bear the thought of losing him. But it's inevitable. Every time we buy another big bag of his food, I wonder . . .

Kat van Rooyen said...

This was a beautiful, touching post.

I have lots of my dear friends waiting for me one day... Mickey, Hershey, Jolie, Nicky, Ikey, Murphy, Tibsy and more...

(By the way, Maggie's year of departing is 2012 not 20012. I make that same mistake more often than I care to admit!)

And Vicki, I started a new blog and wanted you to know about it. It is "A Bear's View from the Mountain" and it is an avenue for my pics. http://view-of-the-bear.blogspot.com/

jennyfreckles said...

What a dreadful week you've had, losing two well-loved pets. But as with people we must remember the good times.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

So sorry Vicki- sweet Maggie is in a better place now. Condolences.

Susan T said...

They all live on, though, in your memory and conversations.......and in your writing. What a good life until the very end.

Sue P said...

Again, my heart breaks for you all. But I believe (KNOW) that somewhere, sometime, we will all be reunited. These animals have souls, or spirits, or essences, or whatever you want to call it. If dogs don't have souls, there is no such thing.
You captured Maggie's soul in her eyes in the picture you painted, Vicki.

Linda@VS said...

What a lovely tribute to your dear Maggie, but I am so sorry for your loss. I had to make this same difficult decision last year and again earlier this year, and I know the heavy weight of the daily reassessments that go along with knowing the time is near. At least those are over. It's obvious that Maggie was well loved--and loved you back--and I know from experience that that kind of love will stay with you always.

Tammy said...

I'm so sorry Vicki. I know it has to be hard with two leaving so close together. I'm sure Maggie blessed you with her sweet life, and you blessed her with the best home and life a dog could wish for--and gave her the last gift of letting her go.

Take care and the poem was lovely.
Tammy

Tammy said...

I'm so sorry Vicki. I know it has to be hard with two leaving so close together. I'm sure Maggie blessed you with her sweet life, and you blessed her with the best home and life a dog could wish for--and gave her the last gift of letting her go.

Take care and the poem was lovely.
Tammy

Susan M. Bell said...

I'm so sorry Vicki. And so soon after Eddie, too. I just know they are all back together again.