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Goodbye Maya.

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Saying goodbye is so hard.

On Saturday February 18th, 2012, at 12:30pm, Robyn and I had to say goodbye to our beautiful dog, Maya.

To say I am devastated would be such an understatement. As I write this, it’s been barely more than 24 hours since she’s been gone, and already I am missing her immensely.

I really miss our walks.

Robyn with Maya on her last walk

I miss her following my every move, especially if I’m doing anything in the kitchen.

I miss her running to the pantry cupboard where we stashed her snacks every time she heard the door open.

I miss tripping over her when you’re trying to do anything.

I miss her loving stares while I prepare dinner. (love of food, of course)

I miss her sitting pretty to watch me when I’m eating, and drooling the whole time.

I miss watching her dreaming while she sleeps, her leg twitching while small grunts and groans escape her mouth as I envision her dreaming of chasing rabbits in open fields.

I miss looking into those sweet brown eyes.

I miss coming home and having her meet us at the door, tail wagging.

I really miss the sound of her nails click-clacking across the hardwood floors.

I miss seeing her happy face in the side mirror during one of her favourite activities- the car ride.

But most of all I miss the companionship. Knowing that when I feel kind of down, I can just sit with Maya, pet her, and let her remind me in her own way of what’s really important in life. Your loved ones.

I miss it all.

Except the farts. Those pungent, lingering, room clearing farts. Those, I won’t miss.

When Maya was 8 months old we took her to the vet and we were told that she had the most severe case of hip displasia that this vet had ever seen in a puppy. We were shaken terribly at the news from the vet that we would likely only have 3 or 4 years with Maya before we’d have to put her down.  I remember us both sobbing all the way home, then drowning our sorrows at Tony Roma’s with ribs. We brought the bones home and Maya devoured them while laying out in the snow. Since then, we knew this day would come eventually.  As it turns out, knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it one ounce easier when that time actually arrives.

The following is a short gallery of some of my favourite pictures to celebrate our good fortune to have her in our lives almost 11 years.

This is one of the earliest pictures of my girl.

She loved her yard.

Occasionally Maya and Maverick got their dishes confused.

Soon this…..

turned into this…..

But seriously, they were the best of friends. (and no, Maya wasn’t the cause of Mavericks cone)

She had a phase where she loved the Chubby Chicken.

And just like her daddy, she loved to eat…..

…And sleep.

She also loved the snow.

And she really loved her walks.

The last few days of her life were filled with sadness for me. I had to carry her up the 2 stairs to the back door because she couldn’t make it under her own steam. You could see the pain she was in every time she sat or got up. She could only enjoy the car ride for a short time before her sore hips let her down and she had to sit instead of hanging her head out the window and enjoying life. She knew she was defeated, and it was so heartbreaking to watch.

In the end, we cradled her in our arms and told her for the hundredth time that day that we loved her very much. The light went out with a promise to never forget her and one last, long, tear-filled hug.

Goodbye Maya, my sweet girl. I will never stop missing you.

Comments

    • Thanks, Alexandra. I’m sure i’ll be in the same boat as you and will be missing her forever. I guess that’s what we sign up for when we decide to have a pet.

  2. Looks like Maya lived a fun and love-filled long life. We’re really sad for your loss, pets become such important parts of the family and it sucks that they have such short lives compared to humans. Gracie will miss her friend.

    • Thanks Carmen. Circle of life, I guess. I know you know all to recently what we’re going through. Thank you and Dong for all the support. We’ll have to get our puppy fix by visiting Gracie a little more often!

  3. Dogs are a wonderful part of our lives. I am very sad to hear about the loss of Maya. What a GORGEOUS dog.

  4. So sorry to hear Phil…now you have me crying. I know only too well what it is like to have to put down your best friend. I had to do the same for my Rotty and he just turned 7. I feel your pain. Everytime I think of that day it seems like it just happened and I start to cry and that was 4 years ago. Know that in spirit they are with you and not in pain. If it helps…my friend is a clairvoyient and has confirmed that Bronson is always with me. I’m positive Maya is still with you as well.

    • Thanks for the kind words, Carolyn. Wow, only 7 years old? That’s too bad. I love the big breeds, but it’s heartbreaking that they don’t live longer.

  5. I finally stopped crying long enough to leave a comment for Robyn…and then I came here and cried all over again. I know you didn’t want to do this and that it was the hardest decision you ever had to make. But you did the right thing. That doesn’t make it any easier, I’m sure. Maya was such a sweet dog and you guys gave her an amazing life. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

  6. Phil & Robyn –
    I, as well, am in tears. What a beautiful tribute to one who loved you more than you could comprehend. What you did was for the best. What a lucky girl to get two awesome parents.

  7. I am so so sorry for your loss. I cried through this whole post. It’s really obvious that you guys gave her a good home and a good life and you were all lucky to have each other. Pets really become part of the family.

    And now I have to go hug my dog and my cats.

  8. What a sweet post. I know how hard it is to lose to a pet, but it sounds like she had a fabulous life. I know that doesn’t make it any easier right now either. Loved the pictures, hope the loss gets a little easier with time.