Yesterday, I did indeed clean the patio of it’s dirt and winter grime. The old rabbit hutch which had doubled as a wood store was dismantled and added to the field bonfire and as I was returning to the cottage, I spied a squared off stone peeping from behind a large tussock of grass.
It was a headstone of the only dog of mine that was buried on the field.
It was Maddie’s headstone.
I sat and remembered her for a little while
My eyes closed and my face turned to the sun
Maddie was a Scottish Terrier.
She was my second dog, and was grumpy, taciturn and aloof.
A mirror image of Finlay, my welsh terrier who loved the entire World with an open heart.
Maddie loved her masters with all of her heart but showed her affection with all the distance of a 1970 s parent.She would lie next to you, rather than on you and would arrroooo at you rather than lick your face but like a maiden aunt who was dressed for mourning, she was fierce and proud and only had eyes for her nephews who she watched with careful eyes of shiny obsidian.
Maddie chasing Meg and Finlay
Maddie was never showy
Never demanding
And never overly demonstrative
She enjoyed her quiet life following the others and following you
And after years of not thinking about her, I remembered her quirks and ill temper and loyalty until my eyes stung just a little.
On impulse I lifted her headstone out of the ground and cleaned away the mud and the dirt.
I placed it against the wall on the patio and will soften it’s look with potted primulas and violas
I thought it would be nice, for passing walkers to read her name out loud when they saw the headstone
And wonder who Maddie was as they did so.
Lovely memories. Pets touch our hearts in a special way. Thank you for sharing. xx
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome
DeleteHow lovely. You have such a wonderful understanding of characters - both humans and animals. So nice to remember all those times with your wonderful and individual dogs (sorry Albert -and cats!).
ReplyDeleteAre those sweet peas growing so enthusiastically in that patio pot?
Hugs, Susan
No it’s Italian parsley
DeleteReading about Maddie has made me very emotional-my top dog passed almost 3 years now.The wild garlic this week is shooting up from the earth which is a painful reminder to me of our last glorious walk together before the illness x
ReplyDeleteTheir characters often morph into each other I find
DeleteWhat I think wonderful is that my thatch(Lakeland possibly or Welsh terrier or small airdale who I got a couple of months after my top dog passed)-he rubs his body along the sofa one way and then the other like a cat as my top dog a rough patterdale did regularly x
DeleteI remember Maddie from when I first started to read your blog all those years ago. And, I'm saying her name and remembering her this morning, in a little town here in the US. ❤️
ReplyDeleteShe’s been gone a long time now
DeleteA nice remembrance.
ReplyDeleteThank unsteve
DeleteI also remember Maddie in another little town in the US. I started reading your blog just at the point that she died and I was so touched I felt I had found a kindred spirit, someone who felt about his pets as I do.
ReplyDeleteI have to remember so many people have walked alongside me for many years now
DeleteI didn't know Maddie but I'm thinking of her now, here on the north shore of Long Island.
ReplyDeleteAww, how lovely to have that reminder of Maddie on the patio - it's as though she has come home. She now has lots of folk thinking of her and murmuring her name. RIP Maddie.
ReplyDeleteI thought that, that’s why I wanted the headstone
Deletea nice tribute to a lovely furkid. the stone will be a garden thoughtful piece. for a moment, I thought your blog title was going to be all about our dear mistress maddie.
ReplyDeleteA lovely remembrance! Scottish terriers are such attractive little dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, such a sweet story. Scotties have such a different way of showing love, don't they? Ours has been gone a year this month and I still miss the aroo's when I walk in the door and at feeding time. I will say Maddie's name today and think of her.
ReplyDeleteTears in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI like how you repositioned Maddie’s stone so others can see, ask, know.
And that you told us some of her story.
If we don’t tell our stories how will people know . . .
Our so loved Snickers died on the first of February. I have not known such grief. I miss her unbelievably. My husband does too. Snickers adored him, cuddled up on his lap, arm, next to him. She loved me most at meal time . . . and walking with me too. She liked me best when I rubbed the soft parts under her ears. We buried her in the woods behind our house. And Jack will be making another dolman like the one he made for my daughters cat. Reading your post though, tells me I need to see Snickers name near her grave. Thanking you for your post and giving me some inspiration.
Thank you for the photo and the email x
Deletewhat a sweet dog but a stranger might think it's your ex-wife. i love that you brought it back to your patio.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that lol
DeleteShe would approve and be so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteTears in my eyes after reading Lynne's post and your sweet memories. Good idea to move her stone.
ReplyDeleteAnd you didn't know what you would do with your time off.
ReplyDeleteI’m usually always busy
DeleteJohn, the first time I read your blog I fell in love with the photo on the bottom right of the three pooches - stick in mouths - running together along the sand. I think you've the right idea today about Maddie's headstone. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLet us all remember our beloved furr-balls and say their names!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and heartfelt tribute to your dear Maddie. Isn't it amazing that each dog has such a distinct personality?
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the photo of The Terriers of Trelawnyd and had wondered who the little black terrier was since it couldn't have been George.
Big hugs!
George is on the bottom photo with the stick
DeleteHe never met maddie , he was her replacement
I always enjoy that photo of Maddie, Meg and Finlay. Every once in a while I go through my memories of all the dogs I've lived with and loved just to keep their memories alive - I have loved them all and they were all quite different. your words "the distance of a 1970 s parent" got to me.
ReplyDeleteYes it has a resonance for me too
DeleteOr just a wee bit dour, being a Scots terrier?
ReplyDeleteNice that you brought her stone back to a tidy patio
She was dour indeed x
Deletevotre souci des chiens vous rend tellement chaleureux et humain
ReplyDeletemerci, mes chiens étaient mon monde surtout après que mon mari m'ait quitté
DeleteXx
One for the books, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGood to bring her stone home and remember her...
ReplyDeleteThey have a permanent home in our hearts but I do love the idea of your bringing her stone home.
ReplyDeletethat's why i said it would have to be a stranger! haha!
ReplyDeleteLovely post today. I remember Maddie and it is nice to hear her story again.
ReplyDeleteI have been overwhelmed with memories of Watson and thehamish ! I have been missing my sweet Gud Dugs so much lately, better times for me and my wee Scotties.
cheers
That's a beautiful tribute to Maddie.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The best dogs leave a big hole in our hearts when they leave us.
ReplyDeleteI’ve owned Finlay, maddie, Meg, George, William,Constance,Mabel , Winnie, Mary and Dorothy
DeleteThey kinda morph into each other
You have given a loving tribute to Maddie. She sounds very special in her own unique way. Thanks for sharing your memories.
ReplyDeleteLovely to bring Maddie home John.
ReplyDeleteI was quite touched to do exactly that
DeleteLove all your posts but wonder if you could help me? Can you tell me the name of the product you used in your wood burning stove to clean the chimney please. Sylvia
ReplyDeleteSend me your email jgsheffield@hotmail.com
DeleteOur dogs are family and continue on in our hearts and minds forever. Your tribute to Maddie followed by Meg and Finlay is very loving.
ReplyDeletePositively wonderful, John.
ReplyDeleteFunny how the memories of a pet can stay with you. Sometimes more so than people.
ReplyDeleteOh you bad boy! I got a bit teary eyed over your lovely recollect...and by brining her stone forward to be remembered.
ReplyDelete"Maddie loved her masters with all of her heart but showed her affection with all the distance of a 1970 s parent" Her and I have a lot in common.