Maizy Nighthawk crossed the rainbow bridge after a substantial journey to get there. Maizy has had a full and long life. Although the exact whereabouts are unknown, Maizy was born somewhere along the Columbia River in Oregon. She was found alongside a fence, scared and cold, and taken to a Pitbull rescue. I believe this is where Maizy earned her street cred and coolness. I found Maizy when looking online through Petfinder, which at the time, was a newer way to rescue dogs. I was looking for a Dachsund and I came across Maizy, formerly known as Winnie. Maizy was all head and ears on this long body. She was yellow with freckles on her belly, short, stocky, bowed out legs, complete with one ear up and one ear down. She was a low rider, but she was, by no means, a Dachsund.

I drove from Seattle to Dalles, OR, 8 1/2 hours round trip, to pick her up. She was the sweetest and most crazy puppy. I would refer to her as the mad licker, she would get you from across the room and you wouldn’t even see her. Maizy lived her first year in Seattle. Seattle is a very dog friendly area and I was lucky enough to take Maizy to work with me. We would have afternoon walks around the Space Needle, always getting stopped and asked, with a laugh, “What kind of dog is she?”. This question was asked all the time, all of her life, she was definitely unique. After some time, I decided that it was easiest to explain Maizy as a Rorschach (https://www.britannica.com/science/Rorschach-Test) she was anything you wanted her to be. Over the years, I decided she was a mix of Lab and Corgie, although it is fun to think that she is a Lab/Dachsund mix.

It is believed, by my husband, that Maizy’s parents must have been brother and sister. Maizy, with her separation anxiety, caused a lot of damage to my previous rentals. She was never good at being alone and always wanted to be with me. This extended all of her life, into her very senior years. In fact, until the last few days, I didn’t realize how messy I am when I cook. I have had her at my feet cleaning all of my messes for the past 16 years and now I have no choice but to realize that I am a disaster in the kitchen.

Maizy loved the water. She began her love of water in the Pacific Sound, swimming in and being terrified by the waves. Maizy would find the biggest branch and attempt to take it everywhere, in the lake, down the river and up the mountain. She was such a happy dog when she was outside and in the water. Maizy has dipped her toes in many lakes and rivers over the years. She has travelled to many places and lived in three different states. It started out as Maizy and I against the world and quickly changed to Maizy and I joining a family.

Maizy integrated into a family the way she ate her food, fast and furious. She has been the best dog to all of us. She has watched Cash grow up and was his first friend. She was there for Mollie’s high school and college graduation. All of the birthdays and holidays that were celebrated are too many to mention. Maizy was our first farm dog, even though she aged rapidly while she was here. We don’t all get to have 16 years with our furry loves, but I did, and I am forever grateful to her and all of the love she had for me and for all of us.

It was an excruciating decision to decide when Maizy had lived her last days. This is the first time I have been faced with such a personal, detrimental and forever choice. I made phone calls, I did my necessary google searches, and I soul searched. I soul searched for too long, probably. Dogs have all of the love. They were given this innate ability to show how much they love you, need you and want to be with you. There is never a question about how much they love you. Our jobs as their people are to love them just as much and just as hard for the precious time that we have them.

We have dedicated a beautiful grove of trees in the honor of Maizy. I am planting lavender and lilac, two of my favorite scents and favorite flowers. Maizy will always be my first commitment, my first farm dog, and my first true love.