Maddie is 15❣

Posted byWhere's Wendy? Livin' in the Edge!Posted inUncategorized
💝 Happy Birthday, Maddie! 💝

After unexpectedly losing my beloved Shadow in 2006, I didn’t think I could ever love another dog as much as I loved her… 💔

I’ve NEVER been so happy to be so wrong!

Shadow was my loyal companion from February 2, 1995 until September 13, 2006.
I think of her & miss her every day, but I’m forever grateful that she worked her magic to connect me with Maddie.

I adopted Maddie on September 12, 2009 – exactly three years (minus 1 day) after Shadow left for Rainbow Bridge.

Shadow loved our vacation time on PEI, Canada 🇨🇦. The PEI Humane Society is the only shelter on the island, so I wanted to support them & hopefully adopt a dog from there someday.
I’m so grateful I made that decision!

It took three years before I felt ready to consider getting another dog. I fell in love with “Maggie”, now Maddie, on the PEIHS website in March of 2009. I waited for the winter weather to pass & finally inquired about her by email on June 16th. She was still available & waiting for the right family. 

And then she was adopted on June 20th. 🥺

And then she was returned the first weekend in September. 😳

I believe she was adopted for Father’s Day & returned when school started up again. I was originally really upset & angry with that family for returning her, but it’s been the best thing that could have ever happened for both Maddie & me. The timing for her return to the shelter & me adopting her, coincided exactly with Shadow’s Rainbow Bridge crossing date. This was definitely NOT a coincidence & I will always believe that Shadow connected us. 💝 I’m so lucky & immensely grateful for both of these dogs to have found their way to me. 

Maddie’s adoption weekend 2009
On the beach in Rustico, PEI, Canada
This was on our way from PEI, home to Massachusetts.
We’d only been together for 3 days… 💕
Our first Christmas together in 2009
Santa’s cutest elf❣
Christmas 2017
Maddie was supposed to be guarding Santa’s snack from Alfie. When I turned my back for a minute, Alfie enjoyed eating the cookies, while Maddie pretended not to notice. 🙄
Maddie at 4-H 🍀 Camp Middlesex – 2016
2016 – This was a rental car that we were both sad to return.
❤
These are two of my favorite photos. 😍
During an extreme heatwave in Massachusetts in 2013, we went to McDonald’s every day to get a $1.00 soft serve ice cream for each of us. We both loved riding around in the car, with the A/C blasting! The ice cream was a bonus. 😁
Maddie wore a lot of hers! 😊
Take time to stop & smell the flowers!
Assateague Island National Seashore Campground
Maryland – 2021
During our yearlong journey, this was our motto. 💕
Asheville, North Carolina – July 2021
Despite being a lab mix with webbed feet, Maddie hates getting her feet wet. Our campsite was very soggy for our entire visit, so she came up with a creative solution for herself! At 13.5, she had no problem hopping up onto our picnic table! Normally, I wouldn’t allow it, but it was a poorly managed campground, with nobody available to help with several serious issues, so…..
Maddie ate all of her meals on the table there. It also kept her out of the grass & away from unwelcome visitors. There were reports of a lot of rattlesnakes & copperheads on the property. 😳 Luckily, we never encountered any!
The New Hanover County Extension Service Arboretum 
June 2021 – Wilmington, North Carolina
The Riverwalk in Wilmington, North Carolina
Always ready for an adventure❣
We had to outrun some severe weather conditions along the way, including tropical storms, thunderstorms & tornados. To stay as safe as possible, we spent a few days & nights in hotels. One storm was an all-day, terrifying thunderstorm. 🥺
I put Maddie in our dark bathroom to shield her from it. When I checked in on her, she was hunkered down & sleeping peacefully in the bathtub. 🤗
Despite always having a choice of beds & soft blankets available, Maddie prefers sleeping on the ground. 🤔
Over the years, she’s also spent A LOT of time tangled up!
Winter 2021 – 2022 Quartzsite, AZ
Maddie almost pulled the tent down, after getting caught up in the solar light pole that was attached to a tent guy line! 🙄
On one scorchingly hot day, I really needed to buy a few groceries. I left the car’s air conditioner running & checked on Maddie every few minutes. When the store manager saw what I was doing, she invited Maddie inside!
I did my shopping with peace of mind, while Maddie greeted everyone with her beautiful smile❣
At almost 14.5 years young, Maddie & I walked, hiked & camped in City of Rocks in New Mexico. She was AMAZING!
Happy Camper❣
This was my morning wake-up call face every day❣
Maddie was the cutest, little ladybug for Halloween 2022! 🐞
This is a recent photo. For the past few months, Maddie went to work with me at the hardware store almost every day. The weather was AWFUL on this day, so I left her home. She was very happy to see me when I returned from work. 💗
I absolutely hate having my picture taken, but I wanted a nice photo to make Christmas cards a few years ago.
It’s now a favorite photo of mine. 💝
Maddie on her 15th birthday, November 23, 2022, is modeling her new jackets. The mauve one is unbelievably soft plush. The bright pink one is water resistant with a nice, soft lining. She wasn’t thrilled doing the fashion show for the photo shoot, but she’s going to love wearing them! 💝

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY, MADDIE❣Thank you for being my best friend & the love of my life… 💝

Published by Where's Wendy? Livin' in the Edge!

On May 2, 2021, I departed from Massachusetts in my 2017 Ford Edge (Breezy Blue) with my 13.5 year young pup, Maddie, to fulfill a lifelong dream of a road trip across America. Our departure was delayed by a month, but we're making up for lost time now! My goal is to be out and about for a year.

10 thoughts on “Maddie is 15❣”

  2. Such great memories! I need to open this on my computer as only the first group of photos opened in my phone. Hug Maddie and Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, Jane, Tim, and Maddie

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    1. Thanks, Jane! 💕 I knew from the minute I met her that she was always meant to be with me. Maddie has far surpassed my hopes in every way! She’s been through a lot with me & I’m so grateful for every moment we spend together.
      I hope you’re able to see all of the photos! Please let me know the outcome!
      Hugs & best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving❣
      With love & hugs from Wendy & Maddie
      🤗🐾🐾🤗🐾🐾🤗

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      1. I was able to view these beautiful photos- including the one of you! Love that! Hugs from Tim, Sophie and I!

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      2. Ok, thanks! A few things have been “upgraded” 🙄 on the blog format, so I was concerned that I’d made an error.
        The photo of Maddie & me is a rare one, so I love it, too.
        Hugs to you & Tim & Sophie❣ I’m loving your FB photos!

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    1. Don, adopting Maddie was one of the very best decisions I’ve ever made. Taking her on our journey was a close second. Maddie’s photo & a little bit about our roadtrip was posted on the PEI Humane Society FB page yesterday. It’s already received almost 500 ❤ &👍🏼& many wonderful responses! I wanted to share our story to encourage people to support the shelter & adopt. More importantly, I want people to know that “old” dogs still have a lot of life to live. Maddie’s the living proof❣🐾💝🐾❣

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! Maddie is doing great & I’m very grateful… 💝
      I hope you’re doing ok, too! 🤗

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