Maggie in her favorite spot in the RV -- Photo by Pat Bean
“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.” — John Steinbeck.
Travels With Maggie
I once had a golden cocker spaniel, beloved by all my friends. Her name was Peaches and her greatest joy was to please and protect me.. The day she died, I knew I would never love a dog quite as much every again.
My current four-legged companion is Maggie, a black cocker spaniel I rescued in 1999. She peed on a colleague’s shoe the day I picked her up from the Ogden (Utah) Animal Shelter, and clearly lets me know that it’s my duty to please and protect her.
Maggie’s first year had been hard, I was told by the shelter worker when I adopted her. She had been found roaming the streets as a tiny puppy, either as a runaway or abandoned by a heartless human. Maggie was then, sadly, adopted by an abusive family. The animal cruelty was serious enough that on learning about it the shelter reclaimed her.
Maggie leads the way on our hikes. She's not a dog that easily obeys a heel command. -- Photo by Pat Bean
For our first two weeks together, Maggie was an escape artist. She never went far, however. It was as if she quickly realized she had no where else to go. Then came the day when I was in my backyard and a neighbor stopped by and left the gate open. Maggie made a mad dash for it, then stopped short, looked around and backed up.
Now we had another problem. Maggie didn’t want to leave her newly found sanctuary. She would shiver and huddle on the floorboard when forced to ride in a vehicle. This was not a good thing as her owner was an avid vagabond. It took a round-trip from Utah to Texas before Maggie finally decided a vehicle could also be a sanctuary.
It took just as long for the two of us to bond. The deciding factor was that I started sharing the last bite of whatever I was eating with her. It was only then that this intelligent, independent, mischievous – bossy and spoiled, say my kids – creature decided I was worthy of her affection.
I’m just thankful she finally enjoys traveling down the road and exploring new landscapes as much as her wandering owner. For seven years now, Maggie and I have been perfect RV traveling companions.
And by now you must know I love her every bit as much as I once loved Peaches.
Pat Bean's blog 
Ah, these four-legged critters that work their way into our hearts. We’ve had a number of dogs over the years, each with his/her own unique quirky personality. The strange thing is that each dog was just exactly what we needed at that point in our life journey. Each was loved completely and loved us in return. Marvelous serendipity.
Pat, this post brought a few tears. I also had a dog who was so special I will never forget her and knew I could never love another the way I loved her. Her name was Abbey, we found her in the pound in Canyon City, CO. The woman of the household had brought in the litter of 6 week old pups. The pound wanted her to leave them with their mother until they were 8 weeks old. The woman said her husband had threatened to kill all the pups if she didn’t get rid of them. At 12 1/2 cancer claimed Abbey.
We now have 2 more – both rescues. The beagle was a bit like Maggie. She had no doubt been abused and then taken for a ride and dumped out in the desert in the middle of August, pregnant, burns along her back, no food, no water, no shelter and with a jet black coat of fur. My husband spotted her, coaxed her to him and brought her home. We all bonded instantly. However, for a full year, every time we took her in the car she would throw up – no doubt suffering from anxiety and fear of being abandoned. We took her on short jaunts, brought her back home and would give her a treat. Finally she realized she would never again be abandoned. She has been with us now for 2 1/2 years and is the sweetest dog on the face of the earth.
Keep up your excellent posts. 😀
Maggie has often bee a guest in our home. Stubborn, mischievous, and a brat, she is still loved and adored by my husband. Probably because they have the same personality. He treats her, and my Mom (Pat), just as the little monster treats the rest of us.
We have two “children” of our own. A parti-colored cocker named Mackie and a white American Eskimo named Stormie. Interestingly enough, my Mom and I had blonde cockers at the same time also. My Mom refers to Mackie as the “lover” and Stormie as the “pain”. Mackie is always ready for a cuddle and tries to french kiss everyone, waiting until the person is settled before swooping up with a slurp. Stormie barks – at everything – cars, people passing, leaves, the wind, etc. Both are about 13.
We got Mackie at 6 months, also the product of an abused home where he got very sick. Stormie was rescued when she was a little over a year. The owners abandoned her at the pound because she had gotten pregnant. They were obviously too uncaring to get her fixed. After her single puppy was weaned, we adopted her when I fell in love with her snow-white coat and big brown eyes. Mackie and Stormie have become like litter-mates since meeting.
It took quite a few visits with Maggie before all three settled in together. There have also been a few bloodied noses as the two bitches learned to cooperate some. My kids have also come to expect that last treat from their visiting Nana.
Maggie is a welcome guest, though I must admit that I am glad that most of the pissing contests and fights have passed.
Maggie is still the spoiled brat though as she climbs up into my husband’s chair right before he comes over to sit in it and gives him that “ha-ha-ha” look and he gives her back that “What do you think you’re doing?”
All is right with the world!
Isn’t it great, Pat, that there really is no limit to love? The more we give, the more there is to give. I love it that your love for your two dogs has proven this. Oh, and I share my last bite with my dog, too. I’m not sure it’s done much more than train her to sit beside me at the computer while I eat my sandwich. Then she gets the last bite and poof! she’s gone. Sam
My mother had a buff cocker named Samantha – we all adored her – she was the sweetest spirit ever. Pat, you and I are rockin’ bloggers. Every day this year so far for me, too! Wonder bread is my theme today.
I guess I need to leave a link since I’m not in your blogroll. You don’t have a blogroll! http://nfromn.blogspot.com
This is such a wonderful post. You and Maggie, it seems to me, are very fortunate to have found each other. 🙂
I’ve got 2 cocker spaniels myself-Huey who looks just like Maggie and may very well be as smart. He’s an 11 year old puppy.And then there’s 2 year old Wally-gorgeous (looks like a miniature Holstein cow)…but thick as a brick. I love them both-they make the very best companions. We used to have a tan one-Murray, another wonder. Unfortunately we lost him 3 years ago when he was almost 15-a good long life. Cockers are the best. Enjoy your delightful pal,Maggie