Posted on 01/23/2017 10:51:44 AM PST by nickcarraway
A 9-year-old golden retriever who won thousands of hearts with his sweet wagon rides throughout his Florida community as he battled cancer, has died, his owners announced Sunday.
Maverick died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night, owners Joey and Allison Maxwell, announced on his Facebook page, Everybody Loves Maverick.
“He gave no signs of being ill, and didn’t suffer at all. He simply went to sleep after dinner,” Joey Maxwell, of DeLand, wrote on the page. “Allison and I are absolutely heartbroken, yet we are at peace knowing that Maverick is now at rest.”
Maverick began making national headlines in October after workers at Maxwell’s local Lowe’s store helped make a wish for Maverick come true. Maxwell, who knew that his beloved dog’s time was short, wanted to take him on a wagon ride through town to visit friends, but could not find a wagon.
The staff at Lowe’s called area stores until they found a wagon for Maverick, who was unable to walk because of his illness. They had it sent to the store and put it together for him.
Maverick’s joyful rides through DeLand, during which he made many new friends, didn’t just bring him a following of nearly 14,000 people on Facebook. They also helped him pull off a brief remission of his cancer, including regaining some movement in his hind legs.
He had a good checkup at the vet as recently as Jan. 10. Photos and videos on Maverick’s Facebook page showed him eating, relaxing and playing with his toys.
The final video that Maxwell posted of Maverick was of him enjoying his breakfast on the morning of the day he died.
Maxwell thanked Maverick’s followers for their love, kindness and support. “You have all loved Maverick as though he were your own, and we know that ours are not the only hearts breaking today,” Maxwell wrote. “Please know that Maverick heard and felt all of your comments, well wishes and love. We read him every one we could and gave him every hug and kiss you sent his way. “Today is going to be hard for all of us. Allison and I are thoroughly convinced that Maverick more than served his purpose during his brief time with us, and know that his legacy will live on.”
Having lost our Golden last year, that picture breaks my heart.
That’s the best way to go, no fear or torment for him, no heartbreaking decision for his people. Good boy. You’ll be loved and missed, until you meet your people again.
Goldens are great dogs, but they do seem to be quite prone to cancer. I used to be in a Yahoo! Canine Cancer Support Group when my Corgi was battling lymphoma. I think there were more Golden owners there than any other breed.
Oh, that dear dog.
I read about him, he lived about a half an hour from me. He was nothing but love wrapped up in fur.
Rest well, Maverick...
German shepherds are also prone to high rates of cancer. Three of my GSDs passed away due to cancer.
Lost our golden doodle to cancer. She had multiple bouts over the last 4 years, most of which appeared as lesions in her skin. Best dog I ever had and she is badly missed.
This is so sad. Back in 1988, my heart was stolen by my “little brother” — a golden retriever we named Tycho. He and I were very bonded, and he saw me as his litter mate rather than a human owner. He was the goofiest, dopiest, best natured dog.
At the end of his life, we bought a rottweiler puppy. They were together for about 6 months before Tycho died, and he was instrumental in teaching her dog stuff (toilet drinking, wrestling, couch hogging, mooching for treats, etc.) We also think she was tempered some by his incredibly sweet, patient nature.
Deland is not far from where I live. He was a local celebrity.
Sweet. Someone in your family was into astronomy?
Our Golden is getting into a bad way also.
I’ll have nothing but good memories.
They are the finest most selfless companion dog on the planet.
I’m avoiding reading this just now.
My boy is 15 1/2 years old and fading.
The last few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions.
Kimber. A Great Bernese (Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain Dog mix) puppy at 5 months. A 2016 Christmas puppy.
Yes! His full name was Tycho Brahe, because, as my dad said, like his namesake they both had golden noses.
He was a descendant of AFC Holway Barty, a very different looking Golden from Scotland, curlier, browner fur instead of the long, silky yellow-gold.
A dog “battling cancer”? Did he know he had cancer? Did he discuss the cancer with his doctors? Did he make decisions about his treatment?
Just lost my sister & BIL’s Labradoodle, Maddie, last week to cancer. She adopted our family 13 yes ago. We are heartbroken.
Cooper the CASA Dog [Golden retriever passes away, Lea County, NM]
Backyard breeders.
In my area, there are *always* Golden puppies for sale, usually by Mennonites.
God bless you and him, Kanawa.
No dog here has such a wonderful story to his life.
I pray mine will make it to 15.
I pray a lot of things, about them.
You and he are loved, dear friend.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.