My son taught me the true meaning of love and my dog Matilda better known as Mattie taught me how much a human being can love a dog.

Seven years ago we suffered the loss of another amazing dog, Maggie. Three months after Maggie’s sudden death, my husband suggested we go to the Greenville Humane Society’s shelter, “just to look.” I wanted a short haired, small to medium sized dog and I made my preferences crystal clear. When we entered the adult dog section, my husband walked directly over to the cage containing a large, longhaired dog. He declared, “I like this one,” my now infamous response was she’s too big and ugly. I’m ashamed I said that but Mattie was a little different looking with her bobbed tail and mixed up colors of black, gray and white. When we removed the dog from the cage and walked outside my husband said, “sit” and the dog immediately sat down and waited for further instructions. At that moment I knew this dog was coming home with us. There was no name on the tag, the only facts we gleaned were that the dog was female and approximately three years old and the owners had surrendered her saying the couldn’t keep her.

We named her Matilda because as it turns out she was what appeared to be a full blooded Australian Shepherd and we quickly began calling her Mattie, then Mattie Belle. Mattie didn’t bark for the first three months we had her. The first time I scolded her I figured out she had been verbally abused because when I raised my voice she cowered and shook all over. We learned she could run like the wind when we took her off the leash and let her run on the golf course behind our house. Unfortunately, she had a very short attention span and if a squirrel or other wild life distracted her she took off and refused to return until she was good and ready. She was usually soaking wet from a swim in the pond when she ambled back down the driveway. I would give anything to let her run again. When dogs would approach her she wiggled her entire rear end in anticipation and sat down as if politely waiting for an introduction. She threw herself at visitors and often knocked a few of smaller stature back a few feet with her enthusiastic welcome. She could smile and loved to snuggle in bed or on the floor. Mattie had a trait shared by her breed in that she would paw at you to get your attention, especially if you suddenly stopped petting her. Mattie had a serious carbohydrate obsession. She once ate half a dozen dinner rolls during a party and frequently ate entire loaves of bread if they happen to be left on the counter within reach. She figured out how to open the cabinets and if left alone too long would rip into whatever boxes smelled the best.

In June, we noticed she wasn’t eating and seemed listless so we took her in for a check up. The vet said her spleen was enlarged but she couldn’t tell much more without an x-ray. A round of medication seemed to put the pep back in her step but in recent weeks she began to decline again. An x-ray this week showed tumors in Mattie’s spleen and lungs. Her time is running out and our hearts are breaking knowing that our faithful and loving friend will soon be gone. Loving Mattie was a gift and even though I am profoundly sad I am also eternally grateful for the experience.