Mackey

 

Yesterday, Todd had to do what was probably one of the hardest things he has had to ever do. He had to put his beautiful dog to sleep. I know I should say our dog, because we all loved her, but she really was his. When I met Todd 10 years ago, it was him and Mackey. Todd had been through some rough times and it was Mackey who got him through it. When we started dating, I knew that it was a package deal, Mackey was a huge part of his life..they did everything together.

I did not come along until Mackey was three, and missed out on some of the "fun" puppy things that she did. My favorite one hearing about was the time she got into a huge package of little cans of V-8 juice and got them all open..what a mess! One of my funnier memories is actually the night I found out I was pregnant with Eli. I was working in San Francisco at the time and had a feeling I may be pregnant. On the way home, I bought a very large bottle of water and a pregnancy test. When I pulled in the driveway, I had to go..really go. Todd was out front and told me I could not go in the house. It seems Mackey had some tummy problems and there was a big mess on the floor. Lucky for us, we lived in the mountains and I went and took the test behind the house.

Todd is a huge animal lover and would always take in a stray dog he found wandering around. Mackey was NOT a big fan of this, but seemed to catch on quickly that these dogs were not here to stay. Then came "the beagle". Mackey tolerated Harley for a few days, thinking that she too would soon move on. Harley was here to stay though, and I don't think Mackey was ever okay with that. Mackey had one playmate, and that was all she needed..she had Mikey. When we would open up our gate up in Bonny Doon, Mackey would go sprinting across the street to see Mikey..she loved Mikey. She also loved Mikey's house and the easy access to cat food.

Mackey, like most labs, loved food. Todd said that she was kind of the runt of the litter and had to really push her way into her mom to get fed. It does not surprise me at all, that she is the puppy that Todd picked. Becasue of that, I think Mackey was always worried about where her next meal wwould come from, and spent much of her time wandering around looking for food. When we lived in Bonny Doon she could just wander, and wander she did. One day when Mackey went missing for a few hours, Todd found her a few houses down. He knocked on the door, and the woman said "shh..she is sleeping" as she pointed to Mackey passed out on the couch with a very big belly. Everyone loved Mackey, she was such a sweet dog. She loved to parade around with things in her mouth to show off. Todd once bought me a huge teddy bear for valentines day that she soon took over as her own. She would carry it around shaking her butt and would use it as a pillow in her dog bed.

It is so hard to right about Mackey without sharing my feelings of guilt. I hate, that as the years went on, Mackey ended up moving down the line. She was really good when we had Eli, she would watch over him and did not seem too bothered by the new addition to the household. When Eli was almost two, we found out that he was allergic to dogs. I knew that getting rid of Mackey should have been something we thought about, but it really wasn't an option. Because of Eli and his allergies, Mackey no longer had free reign over the house, but she was still an important part of our family. Unfortunately, the more kids we had, the less time we had for her. I don't think she ever really adjusted to our life in Scotts Valley without ability to roam free and stairs that started to make things really difficult for her. I feel awful that I took away the life she once had and the times that her and Todd shared. She had a good long life though and I have to believe that she is in a happier place where she can run around free and without pain again.

I don't know when we will be ready to get another dog. but I do know that there will never be another Mackey.

    

Comments

[Robin Brooke]

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear the news about Mackey, she was very sweet Dog.
Robin

[Sarah]

Ahh Michelle I am sorry to hear that! :( i am going to have to face that soon also....
Sarah

[Sharon]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Emily Perry]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss... but it sounds like she was a love-bug, and they great thing about dogs is that they love you no matter what. xxoo

[Carrie Hasson]

Michelle, what a beautiful tribute
My heart goes out to your whole family~

[Jen MacNiven]

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss...my heart goes out to you. I know Todd will cherish his moments with her...and her memory will live on forever. Beautiful photos of a dog who is now...running free.

[bubbie of eli,zoe,ari and izzy]

as always your post had me crying. i remember the time that Mackey was just standing there in the red house and Harley came running with a sock in her mouth and went right thru Mackey's legs and she just stood there. I also remember both of them sleeping with me on the couch. the last time i was there i remember her protecting the kids at the beach from other dogs. one more thing i remember the story Michelle or Todd told me. Mackey was Todds dog but one day Michelle and Todd were fooling around and Mackey thought Todd was Hurting Michelle and she growled at Todd. I will miss her

[jo ann]

sweet words, even sweeter images. so sorry...

[Aunt N]

Very great tribute.

[jeramy]

so sad....great pictures.

[Nicole Wragge]

Oh honey, I will keep you and your precious family in my prayers! It is hard but you are right, she is in a place where she can roam free... hugs and blessings!

[Meredith]

Again - tears to my eyes! I love your tribute as I have my own baby here with me...it is never easy! you said it soo well!
xoxo