Memorial Picture Frame

I put this memorial frame together for Maverick!

Here is what the poem says:

"Maverick was more than a dog to me,

he was a special friend through and through,

loyal, faithful, and always there,

he was my companion and protector too.

He celebrated with me when I was happy,

and he sensed when I was sad,

he was always there to greet me,

whether my day was great or really bad.

Playing ball was his favorite pastime,

no matter where we were,

at the beach or in the Arizona desert,

or in the deep Midwest snow...brrr!

I called him my 'firstborn' and my 'miracle',

and of course my 'baby boy',

he was so very special to me,

so sweet and such a joy.

I know that life goes on,

but it just doesn't seem right,

to not have him waiting at the door,

or laying beside my bed at night.

I was blessed to have him in my life,

and hate that we are now apart,

I will never forget my sweet Maverick Martin,

he will forever and always be in my heart."

Sweet Memories of MAVERICK

I wanted to share just a few of the amazing pictures that our photographer and friend, Janie, took of Maverick. I contacted her the day that we found out that he was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was so grateful that she made time to get together the following week to get some great shots of Maverick. Maverick looked so great and you would never know he was sick. We met at a wonderful place...one where he could do his three favorite things...swim, play ball, and run around with his little buddy. Maverick was such a handsome dog! It has been a very hard loss and has definitely been hard getting used to him being gone.

I did want to share one story of Maverick that I remembered the other day as I was talking to my brother-in-law. As I said in an earlier post, Graham was my personality dog and definitely my more 'independent' dog, but Maverick was my ROCK...he was definitely a MOMMA'S BOY. One day (back in 2003 or 2004) I got a call from my neighbor saying that Graham had gotten out of my yard and that her husband was running down the street chasing him. I was thankful that my neighbor was looking out for Graham but my first concern was, "OMG, where's Maverick???!!!!" I loved Graham but this had not been the first time that he had taken off from my house but if the gate was open I was so afraid that Maverick had gotten out too! And, he was not a street dog or adventurer like Graham was! That was the longest, worst drive home that afternoon as I worried about my baby being out and gone. As I pulled up in my driveway, I nearly jumped out of my jeep before it even stopped. My heart skipped a beat when I looked into the yard. The gate was standing wide open and there he was just sitting there as if he was saying, "I don't know where the heck he went! Crazy dog." My sweet, sweet boy. Never left my side. Just then my neighbor came up with Graham. Maverick looked at him like, "Dude, what were you thinking?! There's food here!"

Farewell to my 'baby boy' Maverick

Maverick Martin

March 2, 2002-September 5, 2010

I never looked forward to the day when I would have to post this news. The news that Maverick, my 4-legged best friend and 'baby boy', was gone. He was such a great gift to me and I was truly blessed to have him in my life. Graham was my 'personality dog' but Maverick was my ROCK. He had been with me through SO much and was always there when I needed him. He was the most amazing dog with the sweetest disposition, and I was honored to be his 'doggie mommy'.

He passed away peacefully at our home Sunday morning of Labor Day weekend. The Thursday night prior to this, we noticed that his right leg had swelled up to twice the normal size. I took him into the vet the next day and the vet confirmed that it was part of the cancer and that we were nearing the end with him. I took him home and Jeremy agreed it was best to spend as much time as we could with him over the weekend. We had planned on going camping on Saturday night but decided to take Maverick and Nate out for a ride and some ice cream. Maverick lapped up his ice cream and it was always a good sign when he had his appetite so we were staying hopeful. However, on Sunday morning, around 6 a.m., we awoke to Maverick struggling to get up off the floor. (Due to having hardwood flooring we pretty much heard every move he made during the night)! We got up and found that he had lost his bowels and that he could not get himself up. The night before we had made a carpet rug path from our room to the kitchen in hopes that it would give him more traction but unfortunately, the rugs were not even working for him. Jeremy ended up having to carry him outside. He didn't want anything to do with his medications, food, or water, and we knew right away that this was going to be a rough day.

Eventually Maverick made it clear that he wanted to go back inside as he got up and slowly headed toward the door. But, since we knew he would just struggle walking on the hardwood, Jeremy just picked him up and carried him down to the basement where it was carpeted. He stayed down there and I tried to lay down beside him but he kept turning his head as if to tell me that he wanted to be alone. Most humans want others to be by their side in the end, but dogs are different...they would rather be alone. So, when he got up on his front paws, we knew where he wanted to go. Jeremy helped him to the laundry room and we pretty much set up hospice there. We went down every 20 minutes or so to check on him and said our good-byes each time not knowing when would be the last. About 9:30ish I decided to take Nate downstairs to say good-bye to Maverick. Nate called Maverick his 'best friend' and they were, without a doubt, best buds. I really think that Maverick found strength with Nate around and had gotten better over the years because of Nater. Nate said good-bye and 'it will be okay Maverick' and we went upstairs. Jeremy went down shortly after and as soon as he came back up, I knew. Jeremy had been crying and he said that he was gone. My heart was broken.

As hard as it was to deal with, things happened so perfectly. I know that sounds strange to say but I feel that God's hands were all over this situation. Jeremy and I were really scared that we were going to have to make the decision to take him into the vet, and by him passing naturally we did not have to do that. We were both home with him, we didn't have to come home from work and find him, or wake up to find him gone. We were able to say our good-byes and get prepared as we knew we were at the end with him. With it being the holiday weekend we both had time off from work where we could grieve and take time to deal with the emotion of it all. And, coincidentally, Maverick passed just minutes after he saw Nate. It was as if he let go after seeing and saying good-bye to his little bud. When we all went down to see him for the last time, he was still warm and felt like Maverick. When we had found Graham he had been gone for many hours and it was a feeling that I will never forget.

We took Maverick down to my in-laws to bury him there and it was the most beautiful and perfect day out. We buried his beloved 'Chuck-It' and tennis ball with him and put him in his final resting place. As they were putting the dirt in the grave a blue butterfly flew right in front of my face and landed in the tree above Maverick. He sat there until they had all of the dirt back on and flew off. Maybe it seems silly, but to me, those are just signs that there is a God and that there is a heaven. Because without God, it is hard to have peace when you are dealing with death. Whether you are the one passing on or the one staying behind and grieving.

I am forever grateful for the time I had with Maverick, especially these past 2 years. It was almost 2 years ago that we received the first diagnosis...that he had a tumor and that it didn't look good. I thought my time was limited with him then but he held on strong and became a miracle and the past couple of years have been full of so many great memories. I feel blessed to have the most wonderful in-laws who were not only there for us during this difficult time, but took time to help us bury him and grieve with us. They opened up their yard to another pet who had become part of the family. My father-in-law said that they would never be able to move now as they have too many pets buried there and I joked and said that people were going to start paying for pet plots at their house! I am also thankful for a very kind vet, one that opened his door for us whenever we needed him, and who never sugar-coated what was happening. He took great care of my dogs and I was happy that he was Maverick's vet in the beginning and in the end. I am thankful to a dear friend of mine who shot some awesome pictures of Maverick just a month before he passed. He looked vibrate, happy, and you would never know that his health was compromised. I will always cherish those pictures and moments with him. And, I am eternally grateful for the most unselfish and loving husband. Jeremy always treated Maverick as his own and understood my attachment to him. He didn't complain when he had to carry him outside or when he got sick inside. He cried alongside with me and has been a great source of comfort to me through all of this. When he passed, Jeremy said, "He will always be a part of our family."

Pets are super special...they cannot be replaced. They each have their own personality and know exactly how to speak to you, even though they cannot use words. Maverick was my companion, the one that stuck by me through thick and thin. He was, no doubt, a 'momma's boy' and never left my side. He traveled with me and saw more of the world than some people are able to see in their lifetime. I could go on and on with funny and sincere stories of all the times I had with Maverick, but since it will take too long to write them here, I will forever hold them in my heart.

To my sweet baby boy...who I miss greatly and will never forget.