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| Resting in the co-pilots seat in our RV |
Maddie came into our lives in November, 2010. We were volunteering at JHS, and the staff knew we had recently lost Elvis, another rescued Cocker Spaniel. One of the staff came running into the yard, to tell us that the following Monday, a Cocker named “Mattie” was being returned because the adopters did not want to take care of her horribly infected ears. We said, “sign us up and please call when she gets here”. It was the longest weekend of my life. We got the call and drove straight away to JHS. Mattie (we renamed her Maddie in honor of little Maddie Clifton) had just been owner surrendered about an hour before. We walked up slowly to her kennel. She was scared and confused and dirty and peed everywhere. We fell in love. After a quick visit with the vet, we were allowed to take her home. You see, Maddie had been used by a backyard breeder for approximately 5 or 6 years. She never had any vet care. We will never know who used her, but apparently they dumped her when she was of no use to them. The people who adopted her the first time could not deal with the fact that Maddie didn't know how to play, she never understood what a toy was, she had food aggression and her ears were a horrendous mess. But we didn't care. We got her the best food, the softest bed, never ending vet care and showered her with love for the next 5 years. She spent a year on the road with us in our RV and saw lots of the USA. Sadly, her arthritis had gotten to the point where she could barely stand. She would hide in the corner looking confused. We made a promise to her and to each other that when the day came, we would let her cross with dignity and on August 26th, 2015 Maddie went to the bridge to heal and learn how to be a puppy. If even one person reads this and realizes that these innocent angels are forced to breed for profit, then her life and death will not have been in vain. Please, spread the word. Adopt, Don't Shop. RIP Maddie. We will see you again.
We will always remember you Maddie.
Love, Kathy and Steve
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| Just a sweet dog! |
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We took Maddie with us to a cabin in the mountains of TN on our vacation.
She made her own bed in our luggage! LOL |
