Happy Birthday Maggie!

Today's Maggie Mae's birthday! What a great little dog she has been these past 15 years. We've been through so much together. She kept me from stepping on 4 water moccasins (4 separate occasions) that found their way onto our patio when we lived on the lake, has given her opinion on more than one guy I dated, she's provided an endless source of entertainment. She developed epilepsy at 4.5 years, had a ruptured neck disc at 6, at 13 developed a thyroid condition, and at 14 began kidney failure. Through it all, she remains a faithful, loving companion.

Happy Birthday Maggie Mae!


Not so happy knowing she's not attending the concert with us. She really likes being with her people and misses us when we leave her.


Maggie and Charger on a date, Christmas 2006; they share a love of good food!


Maggie has loved flowers since she was a puppy; maybe it's the Beagle, hound-dog thing, but she will stick her nose in the flower and smell them. She's a proponent of the "stop and smell the roses" lifestyle!


Maggie has always had furniture privileges, but what has always made me laugh is how she likes to sleep on pillows on the furniture. That makes her seem a wee bit "high maintenance" don't you think?



Since she was a puppy, Maggie has always enjoyed watching TV.


She loves opening presents!


Our apartment complex in 2001 had an annual Halloween party for our pets; I don't generally celebrate Halloween any more, but this was more of a pet-owner thing to get together and laugh at the frenzied, party-clad pets! Maggie has always been such a great sport!

For more posts on Maggie, see:
Casual Friday
Huh?!
Blooming Beauty

Huh?!

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet"
From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1594



Maggie Mae is my beloved beagle of 14 years. She's a best friend, confidant, protector, and truly a source of humor. Through the years, she's answered to a lot of names...

Maggie
Maggie Mae
Baby Girl
Maggie Doodle
Charger's Girl
The Beagle
Your Dog
Fluffy Butt
Little Bit
Sweetness
M&M Girls

But now, Dave has christened her with yet another name. Margaret.

Margaret?!!!

For some reason, that just really makes me laugh. "Have you met my beagle? Her name is Margaret!"

"Margaret, do you want to go outside and potty?"

"Margaret, stop chasing rabbits!"

"Margaret, wanna go bye bye in the car car?"

At least Maggie has a sense of humor about it all!

...On another note...My friend Moggy has not been feeling well! Please stop by her blog and wish her well! She is really funny, even when she is not feeling very well.

Casual Friday

Maggie Mae gives new meaning to Casual Friday.

Bloomin' Beauty

Maggie Mae always finds her way into photos. I think she secretly desires to be a reality TV star, and hopes someone will finally discover her! Here, she does her impression of a laughing hyena. Or maybe it's Tickle Me Elmo.




I'm amazed at the size of some of my roses this year! They are really big! (Seriously, look at your fist; now imagine a rose about more than 2x that size!)



And some are just really pretty!



And bushes are just loaded with blooms!



I love that a bouquet of roses greets me each time I drive up the driveway!



Annuals and ivy in early bloom. I love a splash of color against a dull brick wall!

I wish the photos could really convey the true beauty I see outside my windows. And the rose fragrance is wonderful!

Love Lost, Love Found

When I got in from church today, I unlocked the door so Dave could just let himself in when he arrived. I was in the kitchen and heard the door open twice. Instinct kicked in, and I knew Maggie must have ran out the door and he'd gone after her. Sure enough, I went out, and he was down the street looking for her. She's a beagle and when outside, the nose just takes over! My heart stopped when I realized no one knew where she was. One neighbor guessed that maybe she'd gone through his yard to the alley. So I took off running in my dress and boots calling out to her. Dave took off the other direction. A lady on the street behind me had just seen her. Fortunately, this nightmare only lasted a few minutes. Another neighbor a few doors down had found her in his garage, staring adoringly at their refrigerator, wagging her tail. His wife had taken her and placed her in my house while Dave and I were frantically looking for her.

I like to think she has a good life here. Lots of love, doggie treats, and as you can see from this photo made in December, full furniture privileges. But, a beagle will forever be a 2-year old, never thinking to look before crossing streets, or to remember she's not allowed to go off by herself. Tonite, she just wanted to lie on both Dave and me as we sat together on the couch watching TV. She is love. And I am thankful she is safe and home!