It's finally time I say goodbye to my Maverick. I've been postponing it for quite some time but I think that I'm now ready. Maverick passed this past Labor Day weekend from a second bout of bloat. Although it's only been three weeks since losing him, it feels like so long ago because it feels like forever since we last saw him. We miss him terribly! 
I didn't want to let him go before saying a few words about him, he deserves it. For years before him I had always dreamed of getting a St. Bernard. The perfect dog in my head, handsome, gentle, loving... I brought 4 month old Maverick home on Valentines Day 2002, a fluke in finding him. From day one Maverick was THAT dog...that dog that I always wanted. He was so sweet, sensitive...and dopey (they aren't the brightest breed) At 130 lbs if he wanted to he could have dragged me anywhere he wanted, yet, he never pulled on his leash. All he ever wanted from anyone is a pat on the head and a cookie from the jar. We never asked Maverick to sit because his hips hurt him, although I know if I asked him to he would have, he was just that kind of dog. He was always so happy to see anyone and I don't think I have ever heard a growl come out of that dogs mouth. He would be picked and probed at the vet and he never so much as move. I remember last summer Mav found a rabbit's nest in the yard and every time he was let out he would run over to the baby bunnies and just lay next to the hole, guarding it. He never bothered the babies. Maverick was the ideal Saint in every way. My feet now lay cold at night, not having Mav's head as my foot warmer.
Maverick we will miss you and you will never be forgotten!! Tears come to our eyes every time we pass the baseball fields by our house as Tyler says Maverick is now feeling better and chasing butterflies through the fields now. Thank you to everyone for your kind words, support and cards. It helped allot in our loss.
Love,
Tyler, Mike, Catherine, Lucy, Murray and Maddie.
