Maverick...he was a most loyal dog. He was half Border Collie, half Black Lab, but all would agree 100% Border Collie at heart. He hearded like no one else ever in his time. When the woman was sick, he barked. When the babies cried, he heard them first. That vacuum...he vowed to give it hell til' the day he died. Lint roller? Didn't stand a chance. As many dogs, he started out as the baby and gradually slid into the role of a wise old friend. He gave the woman the hardest time. With each new bundle of joy he was given more purpose...and more little people to pace around and bark at. She loved him. Over the years he was part of everything. He saw her joy, he saw her tears. He ran up to her with a soft "Wuf" each time he saw her struggling. When the man was gone, he guarded the door. At night when things quieted down and the woman was on her way upstairs, she would kneel down and thank him for everything. "I'm sorry I'm so busy," she would say. "I have my hands full, I love you Maverick, thank you for protecting us." In the end, she was able to be there for him just as he had been by her side so many times before. She carried him that last night when he could not walk and laid down next to him, "I'm here Maverick. You're such a good boy. You've done your job. You've done such a good job buddy. We love you so much." Tears, oh so many tears. She pet him gently. With that, he slipped away ever so peacefully over the rainbow bridge. That morning just after midnight an owl hooted so very loud and close. Then two more calls into the distance. The couple looked at each other...it was Maverick, that old soul...telling them all was well. He would forever be guarding and protecting them from that special place. A place where only good times are remembered, where the best years of your life are where you stay forever. Up in the north woods.
