Maggie's Life Lessons

Maggie was an incredible spirit, full of wisdom and spunk. She took a firm hand, a big heart, and at times a ridiculous amount of patience. She could be stubborn. There is no doubt about it. I am having a hard time and will write more about that another day, but this morning in an attempt to find comfort, I started to think about all of the little lessons that I learned from Maggie. Sure, some things I already knew, but some I really did learn from Maggie. Here are some of them...

• Don't just feel the sunshine. Smell it. Face your chin towards the sky and breath it in. Maggie did. She loved the sunshine.
• Don't be afraid to poop in public. If it makes you feel better to pick two or three spots, go for it. Just make sure you do a dance when you are done.
• Pick the biggest stick. You don't know if you can manage the big stick if you don't try. No stick was too big for Maggie. Ever.
• Bark until you get what you want, but make sure you really want it. Don't bark for a piece of lettuce if you don't like lettuce simply to see if you can get it.
• Chase what you love, regardless of whether it is a tennis ball, a person, or a cat. Chase it.
• Eat ice cream wherever you wish. Suitable places include by the toilet, on the couch, on the bed, or in the laundry basket. It doesn't matter where you eat it. Just eat it.
• Leave nose prints on windows. It lets people know you were there, making you unforgettable.
• Watch people as they leave, even if you are chewing a biscuit. Make eye contact and let them know you will be waiting for them to come back.
• Make your splash big.
• Take time to roll in the grass. Eat it, too. It's just grass!
• Love your entire body. When you are happy, let your body shake to the tip of your tail.
• Walk with a swagger. Let your hips swing and walk with confidence. Maggie had a signature walk.
• Be nice to dogs who are smaller than you. Just because you are big doesn't mean you have to intimidate. Maggie loved all dogs - especially small ones.
• Lean against the people you love. Literally.
• Enjoy nakedness. Don't wear a collar if you don't have to.
• Sleep with what you love. If you forget your goose, go get it.
  
• Get off the couch when you are happy to see someone. It doesn't matter if you are napping or comfortable. It matters that they have arrived.
• Follow the person you love. Always. Let them know they are adored. Maggie was a star at this.
• Kiss. A lot.
• Life is too short to pout. If you can't play ball, go find your goose.
• Always know where the people you love are. Keep them all in one room so you don't have to try to decide where you should be.
• Be patient. Wait for toilet to flush before you try to drink.
• Notice where others have marked, but don't obsess. It is just a mark.
• Make the house into a race course. Run for no other reason than simply because you can.
• Nudge when you need affection. If they don't pay attention, climb fully onto their lap.
• Let people love you. Roll around like a maniac, but give in sometimes, too.
• When it is time to go, say goodbye. Hug them. Kiss them. Give them something to remember. (Look for more on this in future posts - Maggie gave me an incredible memory)

I have no doubt that I will continue to realize lessons from Miss Maggie. I will add them as they become clear.

She trained me well. I am honored to have been owned by her.