The other day my sister-in-law sent me the lyrics to this song by Chris Stapleton. After reading and listening to the song I was in tears. Not only did he describe my Maggie, but the picture of his dog, looked just like my Maggie and his Maggie is from Tennessee and so was mine. Chris’s Maggie died, I think in November at 14 years, and mine in February, at 15 years. The way they were adopted is different but the chorus of;
“run Maggie run, With the heart of a rebel child, Oh, run Maggie run, be just as free as you are wild”
described my girl to a tee. When company came with their dogs, she’d leave them all in the dust! She would also run around with the kids and love every minute of it. I used to call her my “devil dog.” She was so loving with the devilish twinkle always in her eyes.
They are alike in the ways that both Maggie’s ended up with their back legs giving out and not being able to go on. The circumstances of their final destination are different, my Maggie was cremated but the sentiment of laying next to your baby and looking into their eyes and saying goodbye is so heartbreaking. I sent the song to my children and they couldn’t believe the similarities. My son, who lost his dog in October, related it more towards the loss of his dog, as I’m sure anyone who has lost a beloved companion would.
Myself. I take it so very personal, as my girl’s remembrance song. I wish I could tell Chris Stapleton how timely and how much this song means to me. It will forever be in my heart and on my playlist. I feel that dogs are angels sent down from heaven and to share your life with any of them is truly a blessing.
Thank you Chris Stapleton for your heartfelt expression in such a beautiful way.