The Hardest Goodbye: Honoring Maddie

We are heartbroken.

On February 10, 2025, we said goodbye to Maddie. For 15 years, she was our baby—our steady, unwavering companion through every season of our lives. 

From our mid-twenties to our early forties, Maddie’s radiant smile and presence became a daily comfort. She was my best friend, my shadow, my heart. We shared an unspoken bond that words will never fully capture.

The truth is, I never felt the need for children because Maddie filled that space completely. And when she became paralyzed, unable to do anything on her own, I vowed to carry her everywhere—just as she had carried me through life’s hardest moments.

We walked together every day, and every day, she smiled back at me. Our walks weren’t just a routine; they were therapy. Drenched in sunlight, each step felt like a daily rite of passage, grounding us in the present.

If love alone could have saved Maddie, she would have lived forever. But in the end, her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) slowly crept up her spine, and it became clear her comfort and quality of life were slipping away.

Saying goodbye was a heart-wrenching reflection of a life so deeply loved. With the compassionate support of Dr. Toni from Paws Into Grace, we were able to give Maddie the dignified rest she truly deserved. She passed peacefully at home, cradled on Michael’s chest, wrapped in warmth, and bathed in sunlight.

The house is quieter without her. The weight of her absence is immeasurable. Yet, I hold on to every moment, every memory, and every ounce of love she gave. Maddie had a rare way of connecting on a soul level with everyone she met, leaving an imprint on our hearts that will never fade. No amount of time would have ever been enough to give her everything she deserved in this lifetime. Maddie was simply the best.