In Memoriam

Maddy

Greenforest Maddy

1993-2008

None of us who knew Maddy will ever forget her. The runt of her litter, Maddy was small, dainty, ladylike, sweet, the archtype of femininity. Gail and Wes are still owned by national agility champion, Flint (also a Pem), and Gail’s soon-to-be national agility champion, their Pyrenean Shepherd, Pic; but Maddy was their first dog.

In his obituary to her, Maddy’s geologist dad, Wes, wrote:

“Never a great athlete like her younger cousin Flint, in a couple of years of dog-agility competition, Maddy nonetheless earned many titles, including Novice, Open, and Excellent titles in AKC, P3 in USDAA, and Elite in NADAC…

“Her delicately beautiful face and lovely, dignified expression drew widespread comment and, when she ran, the rear view of her sashaying pantaloons evoked smiles and amusement.

"A thousand times, she made us smile. Friends say that Maddy did more to mellow me than any other influence. By subtle influence of her steady personality, this 20-pound furball changed me. She earned my recognition of her as a partner, full member of the Pack, and constant companion. Sure, I was nominally her boss, but she established her prerogatives, and I willingly assented. And soon enough, she made me love her. Gradually she made me realize that she was no less vital a creature than I, worthy of full consideration as an individual, but, sad to say, with a much shorter lifespan. Maddy had a good life, with mountains, deserts, suburban comfort and security, lively packmates, and a good diet; but I'm awfully sad it's over.

Maddy became kind of an unofficial mascot at the U.S. Geological Survey where Wes works, even though her daily attendance in Wes's (and her) office was contrary to government regulations, especially after 9/11. But following an interval of elevated vigilance and enforcement, even the patrol guards couldn’t help smiling at Maddy.” Maddy was Wes's field assistant, “a versatile indoor-outdoor companion.” She traveled to Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and many parts of California.

"She loved to frolic in the snow and, even more, to wade in cool shallow water, whether creek, pond, or mudhole. She enjoyed her home comforts, but she loved the sniffs of a desert wash. She liked to sing. Like a coyote. A frequent Pack ritual was a group howl, at which she excelled.

"She devoted herself to me, like no other, in a way I hadn’t sought, anticipated, prepared for, or understood well as the bonding developed. I brushed her but not often enough. I bathed her less often than I should’ve, but more often than she wanted. Gail took care of her ailments and problems much more than I did. But I developed a sort of pleasure and satisfaction in caring for her and taking her everywhere she wanted to go with me. And her barked warnings of approaching dogs or of intruders knocking on my office door, she observed, kept us secure from attack for all her years. Her unconditional love was irresistible and became mutual. Greenforest Maddy was ‘just a dog’ but a beautiful creature, and we loved her dearly.”

Donated by: Vicki Doyle-Jones