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Magdalena Mae Zabierek: July 1, 1997 ? July 7, 2008

Maggie Mae was a good dog: she was an ambassador of good will. She made everything better. She was a good friend, and a loyal companion. She worked hard and played hard, and lived in every moment with joy, unfettered by worry. She taught me a lot about how to avoid unnecessary issues rather than confront them. And she taught me how to stick with the hard stuff, even when it felt too hard. Maggie was there to celebrate and cajole for every triumph and every pratfall ? both of which there have been many. I loved her wholly and deeply and without reservation. Maggie went to chase bunnies with her Dad this morning peacefully after a short and fortunately fairly painless bout with cancer.

Maggie was the daughter of Calvin the Wonder Dog, the product of an unsanctioned mating between a neighbor?s purebred in heat, and Calvin?s insatiable desire. She surely was born out of passion and not reason. While Cal was surely an old soul, Maggie clearly was a new soul; eager to learn, and trusting that everyone had good in them. She was a tough pup to train and resisted conventional training methods. Winning her over meant hour-long walks every morning and afternoon for her first year, and allowing her complete, unchained freedom for life. Like Cal, she rarely required a leash, and was uncomfortable as a leash dog. Maggie never once in her entire existence had a fight with another dog: she taught me a lot in that respect. Once she was past her puppyhood, Maggie rarely required a command to be repeated, and was obedient almost to a fault. She truly trusted that her people always had her best interests in mind, and that we would keep her out of harm?s way. I hope that she could look back at her life and see that we had all been successful in playing our parts and sharing our love.

Selfishly, I wonder now who will do Maggies? chores. Who will keep the raccoons and coyotes at bay? Who will warn me when a bear comes (as Maggie did just last week)? Who will sweep up the crumbs after the children? Who will celebrate every fish I catch as though I were the most amazing fisherman in the world? Who can I turn to for completely unconditional, judgment-free support? Who will always listen and not try to fix everything? I?m not ashamed to say that there?s no doubt that Maggie – and Calvin before her – played a huge role in defining who I am. In fact I am proud of it, and honored, and humbled. I have been blessed, and I acknowledge the rarity of my luck.

And so I ask, in all humility, for anyone within earshot of this message to take a moment and celebrate the passing of a great soul from our world to another, and to raise a glass in her honor. Remember Maggie please as a reminder of all that is good about the coincidence of our existence, to savor the present every waking moment, and that there surely is much good in the world.