Madie

October 21, 2008 was the day she was born. March 22, 2024 was the day she left us.

I met Madie on her second day of birth on October 22, 2008. Coincidently, it was also my son's birthday. And even more coincidental, was the fact she was born on a day when my husband and I started dating years prior. Looking back, to the day I met her and when she was born, I’d say God and the Universe were putting her in my path to be mine.

I remember she would visit our office daily, and at the time our insurance office had very little foot traffic, so we didn’t mind. Madie also came with Madelyn, Roberto and their mother Lilly. Being able to spend time with her when I felt my life was falling apart was the best part of the day. I couldn’t take her home until she was eight weeks old. Until then, I had to settle seeing her daily when our co-worker brought the puppies. This was why she was there daily. Our co-worker was Lilly’s owner, and she felt better bringing them to work. Nobody minded either.

Around the time I was able to finally take her home with me, my husband and I had separated for a few days. I cried every morning and Madie would too. It was amazing to see her in tune with my emotions, but then it wasn’t hard to believe because I did spend time with her since she was two days old.

When my husband and I got back together, I wasn’t able to take her home because we lived in an apartment complex that did not allow pets. Occasionally because she was tiny, I would slip her in my purse and keep her with me. She was a barker though and luckily the television would mute her barking. For the rest of the time, my mother kept her for a few months until we moved out. From then on, Madie and I were inseparable. I took her everywhere. The only places I was unable to take her to, were the conferences with my company. Otherwise, she was with us.

Six months after I brought her home, we found out Lilly got pregnant again and had her litter in May of 2009. I decided to get her a sibling. That’s when Logan came home with us. It was funny the day we brought him home, she was at home with our son, and he had the door open. She ran to the front of the door and was happy to see us. That was until she saw a puppy in my hands. She ran inside, peed on the couch and ran back outside with a grin on her face. This was her being rebellious because we had a new puppy. It didn’t take long before they became best friends. Logan took more to my son than me, but that was alright. I loved them both.

Through the years, I worked from home, and she was always by my side in my home office. Occasionally when I had meetings, I would leave her home. When I was home, I talked to her like she was my daughter. I was only able to have one child, and he was mostly at school when I was at home with Madie. The conversations we had were great. Yes, obviously they were one sided, but occasionally she would bark back when I asked questions.

Occasionally, she would leave the yard and go to the school on the corner, but she’d always make her way back. She didn’t let anyone get her and she knew her way home. After I found out this, I kept an eye on her like a hawk when I would let her out. She was a beautiful Yorkie, and I was sure someone would want to steal her.

I know dogs don’t live for a long time, but I was really struggling when we lost Logan in 2017. I wasn’t aware my neighbor’s dog had gotten loose that day. I had seen this pit-bull before in the neighborhood, and simply thought he was passing by. This time, he was angry and decided to kill my Logan. I was mortified and my brother tried saving him but the pit-bull had already done his damage and snapped his neck.

The worst thing about this, was finding out it was my neighbor’s dog, and they had no regard to the death of mine. That day I had to do a presentation, and I honestly don’t know how I got through it. My eyes were puffy from the crying. When it was over, I consoled Madie and found she had a hole on her neck where the dog bit her. There was no other damage, and she wasn’t bleeding. It missed her vein on her neck by milliliters. I took care of her wound and from there on out, she was traumatized because she didn’t like anyone touching her neck.

For the next few years, I didn’t realize Madie and I were depressed. It was a difficult time for both of us since we lost Logan and we leaned on each other to be needier than ever. Made lost weight, while I gained a lot of it. Madie also didn’t want to eat, and I found myself stress eating. Me being the human being, I didn’t realize this until after a few years. She was also going semi blind in one eye and wasn’t confident anymore getting off the furniture. Then those last couple of years of Madie life, we lost her.

I was in the hospital that day when my son took the dogs out, and she wandered off. Someone took her. I posted her on all social media platforms. I was lucky enough to meet several people who looked at posts daily and would send them to me to review if it was her. They also advised me of where to post her missing. I found out there is a service offered for an Amber Alert. It wasn’t expensive and worth using them.

After eleven grueling days, I received a call from a lady who was the best in helping me put the word out for Madie. She spoke with the person who had her and we had agreed to get a photo to verify it was her and then meet.

I cried seeing her photo because it was her. They had given her a haircut and had cute bows on her. Of which was I don’t see how she kept them on. She hated them because a groomer put the rubber band on her skin instead of just the hair when she was smaller.

We met the couple at the dealership where he worked. The night I was looking for her, he had picked her up in the area where she was spotted. When Madie heard my voice, she was anxious to get out of their hands. I noticed her eyes were glassier than when she left. The stress she was under made her glaucoma worsen. She also was skinnier.

The joy of having found her was too much for me to handle and I couldn’t stop crying. Prior to meeting with the couple, we purchased a new bed for her and new name tag. I had ordered a new collar for her with an apple tag the second day she was missing. I had faith I would find her. My husband thought I wouldn’t. But I’ve seen what God had done for me before and I knew he wouldn’t let me down this time.

I got her back in October of 2023. From there her health declined so much. She went completely blind, and it was getting harder and harder for her to walk. The day before we took her to the vet, I took her outside. We sat in the sun for a few minutes. She leaned in on me and it was like she was telling me goodbye. I felt something deep stir in my chest and knew it was time to let her go. During the vet visit, they advised me she was in her final days. I spent a few hours with her before they put her to sleep.

My husband found this decision very difficult, and he also had never experienced this. It was hard enough to say yes, to let her go. She had been with us for fifteen and half years. Those wonderful fifteen years, they were glorious, sad, frustrating, and loving because she was a stubborn girl. We loved her either way. She knew how to comfort me when I needed her the most. I truly could not imagine my life not getting to have her. She was meant to be mine and mine she’ll always be.

Madie, as I always used to ask you, “Who’s my baby? Madie is my Baby!” and she loved it. You could see her eyes glow up when I asked. She’ll always be my number one and I hope she knows how much I love her and miss her dearly. Everyday doesn’t go by that I don’t think about you.

In Memory of Madie & Logan Corella.