On July 15th, my home as I know it changed forever. They say "all dogs go to heaven" but I just wish it didn't have to happen so soon.
About three weeks ago we got the devastating news that Maverick had tumors covering his liver and spleen and his prognosis was not good. The vet even said surgery wouldn't give him much time. I flew home that weekend to make sure he knew how much I loved him. I had plans to come home two weeks after that but couldn't risk it and I'm so glad I did. We did all of his favorite things with him like taking him on the boat, on long walks in the park and swimming in pool. Maverick swims in the pool everyday and floats on the raft like he's the king. We had such a great weekend.
Throughout the next 2 weeks he had good days and bad days but ultimately grew uncomfortable. Maverick passed away on July 15, 2015, just 3 months after his seventh birthday!
He loved to cuddle in the blankets and suck on his stuffed animals. He loved to eat ice and peeled apples while he ate them like he was a human. He slept on the vents on the cold floor and loved to snuggle up close in bed so you could share the pillow. He knew the tricks that would get him a treat and did them without being prompted. If you weren't paying the slightest bit of attention to him, he would sit there and put his paw in your lap to make sure you noticed him and to get you to scratch behind his ears. The minute you stopped he'd look at you like "umm you're not done!". If everyone was in the kitchen, he'd lay in the middle of floor just to be near everyone. He liked to sit on a seat in the car and didn't mind trying to share. He was a dog that thought he was a human and we treated him as such.
From the moment we brought him home he fit in our family like a glove. Going home will be different without his warm, enthusiastic welcome. He would get so excited and make sweet whimpering noises that we called the "crying hello". He couldn't control himself- he was so happy to see the ones he loved when they walked in the door (not everyone got the crying hello)! It will be different without him snuggling up on the couch and creeping closer and closer until he's laying on top of you. It's going to be different without him begging for a walk and stretching by the door the second you pull out your sneakers. Home is going to be different without him there.
I'll love you forever, Maverick. You were the best dog I've ever known. Thank you for always being a cuddly, sweet and warm friend. I'll miss you!
