Dear Maddie,

I was never lucky enough to meet you in person, but I am so thankful I’ve gotten to know you through your mom and dad and so many others online. The pictures and videos of you never fail to make me smile or even laugh aloud. You had a love for life that is unmatched by anyone I have ever come across in all my years.  You are missed by so many people; people that never met you, but were still touched by you.

Your mom and dad are extraordinary people…I know they won’t agree, but you and I know the truth, don’t we? They miss you more than words can describe, but have persevered and done amazing things in the past seven months….the amount of money they have raised in your name for other babies and the March of Dimes, the support packs for people with babies in the NICU in your honor; so many things they have accomplished and will continue to do to keep your memory alive forever.  Really, all they want is you, and honestly? It sucks that you had to go.  I know, you’re doing good things where you are, keeping an eye on them, helping Binky grow strong, welcoming others with that fabulous grin of yours.  Oh, that grin…

But you were supposed to turn two years old today; there was supposed to be a big party for you with love and laughter and cream puffs. Instead, around the world (well, the US and Canada at least, maybe further away, I don’t know for sure), people who have or haven’t met you will be wearing purple, crying and having cream puffs while thinking of you and your family.

Happy birthday, Madeline.  You are missed and loved.  My boys and I will hug your little purple monster and look at pictures of you while you dance and sing with the angels.

I didn’t know her, that sweet little imp with the big eyes and even bigger grin. I’ve never met her; possibly never would have, but my heart hurts knowing that little Maddie is no longer with us. It aches for her mom and dad, the loss unimaginable. As a parent, nothing compares to the fear of losing a child; I can assume nothing hurts quite like it either.

I know that she was born far too soon and left this earth far too early as well. I know she spent 68 days in the NICU after she was born; that she beat the odds to go home. I know that she was gaining weight and progressing in her development well these days.  I know that the sparkle in her eyes from pictures and video never failed to get me to smile. I know her parents are devastated. I only hope that the outpouring of love from the internet – from people who know them in “real” life and otherwise – gives them some sort of comfort in the coming days. Heather and Mike love that little girl with all their hearts and it showed.

If you are so inclined to do something for this family, they have asked for donations to the March of Dimes in her name in lieu of flowers.  Please help this from happening to another family – it’s about all we can do now for little Maddie.

Rest in peace, sweetie.

Madeline Spohr

The dorkdog is not doing well. Aside from the hip problems, severe infection, inability to hear and other assorted old dog issues, he’s not eating. We’d been giving him dog meat for a while when we noticed he was starting to lose weight, but now he doesn’t even want that. We’ve tried assorted brands and styles, but no dice. The vet gave us a recipe for some food- rice, eggs, oil. Yes, sounds yummy to me, too.  We’re resorting to feeding him anything we can just to get him to eat something. We even cooked up a roast to cut up and inject his antibiotics into it; of course, he’s too smart for that and knows which piece of food has his medicine in it.

Riley is 14 this year. He’s a great dog. He, like most, was a crazy puppy. His first nickname was actually poop dog because for a long time it seemed like he was always going. He sheds like mad – crazy white hair everywhere. In fact, we can pluck him like a chicken most months of the year. He’s always been good with the boys – never had a worry with him.

He’s a great dog and I’m afraid he’s not going to be around much longer. He sleeps a lot more now and weighs less than my boys; he is skin and bones and I am so sad.