Divine Intervention: Maggie's Story

It takes some of us longer than others to find the place we truly belong. We don’t know why this is, but we know that once we find and feel a sense of true rightness and belonging, the amount of time it took to get there becomes irrelevant.

Most of you know Maggie’s story, but let me summarize for those who are new to Marley’s Mutts. Maggie was essentially a feral dog, found wandering in a parking lot in Los Angeles with a Chihuahua sidekick named Charlie.

Both were rescued and came to live with Zach and the Mutts. Before long, the pair was adopted together into one family. Everyone was thrilled for them both, as the situation seemed just right.

Several months later, we got word that, while there was no sign of Charlie, Maggie had been returned to the shelter. We tried in vain to contact the family, who turned out to be completely inaccessible.

Regardless, Maggie came back to the rescue where she continued her rehabilitation process, learning to be comfortable in her surroundings and within a tight-knit pack of dogs and people.

Months later, we met our friend Shane. Shane had seen Maggie online and had fallen in love with her, so then we spent a couple of months having Shane come over to get to know Maggie.

For Maggie to get to know Shane’s smell, we had him leave a pile of his clothes on Maggie’s bed. We facilitated lots of time for the two of them to bond, to walk together and share space.

Eventually, Maggie seemed ready for the transition. When she went to live with Shane, she ripped his blinds down and scratched up the door to his apartment while he was away at work.

Then, on Christmas morning, she broke loose from Shane’s grasp while they were out walking, and ended up missing in the Tehachapi hills for four days.

Shane felt absolutely terrible about all of it, but ultimately decided he’d have to bring Maggie back to the rescue. She just wasn’t meant to be cooped up alone in an apartment all day.

Here we were again. Though, oddly enough, since she had returned this time, Maggie seemed like a different dog. She cuddled with her best friend Baloo, as she always had, and did her normal “Maggie things”.

There was a change in her demeanor for the better. She simply seemed happier. She reached out more for affection, even toward the men in the picture –both Zach and pet sitter/friend Chris – which was the sign of a new Maggie. She was just more relaxed in general... and playful!

Even still, we continued working with our trainer, Lisa, to help Maggie rise above her remaining fear and anxiety.

We continued wondering...what is to be this beautiful dog’s fate? For all her past experiences and all her unique qualities, we knew we would need a miracle to find just the right place for our girl to call home.

Last weekend, our prayers were answered when the Sisters at the Norbertine Monastery called and said “We want to meet Maggie.”

While they spend the vast majority of their time praying and working and studying in silence, they also take time to peek at Facebook now and then. The Mother had followed Maggie’s story since the beginning.

Zach, Dr. Lelewer and I brought Maggie and Fred to visit the sisters last Sunday on their most beautiful, idyllic property in the Tehachapi mountains. The monastery sits on hundreds of acres of rolling hills set against a backdrop of strong peaks. It is a vision to behold.

Mother and a few of the Sisters greeted us, along with their pack of five Great Pyrenees, and a little cattle dog named Whinnie. We threw the ball for the dogs in an enclosed field while a group of cows looked on.

Mother and the Sisters would trade off walking Maggie, and laying loving hands on her, into which she melted. She seemed so comfortable, so at ease and at peace. The way one feels when they know they are HOME after a long, arduous journey.

We explained Maggie’s past and her particular needs: Strong, unwavering leadership, the consistency of daily routine, guidance from and connectedness with other dogs, enveloping feminine energy.

Of course...Love. Maggie needs a special kind of love...a transcendent, divine kind of love that will never falter and never fail her. The sisters were ready to provide Maggie with everything she needed and could ever want.

A few days later, Aileen and I brought Maggie back to the Monastery for her official adoption. We outfitted her in a high tech GPS collar, for ultimate safety and peace of mind, though the Sisters won’t let her out of their sight or off the leash until they are absolutely certain she will stay near.

A few different sisters came out this time and, alongside one of their Pyrenees, Lady, led Maggie on a twine lead they made (on the spot, in thirty seconds) around to meet the chickens, the goats, and the kitties.

Maggie took it all in stride as though she had been there forever.

It was impossible not to get emotional... especially when one of the newer sisters approached and asked, “What’s her name?” Then Sister Mary Agnes (the resident dog whisperer) looked lovingly at Maggie and said... Her name is Maggie. Perhaps short for Sister Mary Margaret, or maybe Magdalena.

While we hold onto this situation with caution, it is caution backed by a greater faith. We truly feel now that Maggie has found her place. That she has found her calling. That she has found peace. God had a plan in store for Maggie that none of us could have predicted... but now seems like the only one – in Heaven or on Earth – that is plainly, perfectly, right.