A tribute to honor my sweet Mabel

This is a little tribute to my best girl, I have so much love for her, I need to put it somewhere. Mabel was born May 22, 2016. She entered my life when she was just 7 weeks old. Mabel’s dad was a Neapolitan mastiff, her mom a husky/shepard mix….which somehow combined to look like a giant yellow lab. Mabel was the only blonde puppy in her litter and the biggest, they said she looked the most like her dad. I found Mabel online and when I went to meet her in person her brothers and sisters were rambunctiously playing and wrestling with each other and didn’t notice me walk in, Mabel however walked right up to me and sat down, like “okay, I’m ready to go now.” It’s like she just knew I was there for her. It reminded me of a kid getting picked up from daycare and being like “hey guys my mom’s here.”

I remember Mabel was so little but she had the biggest paws I had ever seen on a puppy, they almost seemed too big for her little body, almost out of proportion. I always had other pets growing up, but at 25, she was the first dog I had all on my own. I got Mabel because I was planning to end a relationship of almost 5 years and move out on my own. I had only lived in Richmond for a year and still really didn't know anyone other than a couple friends through work. Having Mabel made me feel like even if I didn’t know anyone in Richmond, I would never really be alone because I would always have her.

Mabel and I lived in Jackson Ward for almost 3 years, where she grew from a tiny puppy with giant paws to a giant dog with giant paws. Mabel was constantly trying to catch little critters in the back yard and almost always giving me a heart attack. Every day I would open the door to let her out and she would take off after the squirrels and every time I would say “You’re never gonna get em girl, they're too fast.” One day though she actually caught one, I was horrified but also kinda proud. Mabel also “caught” (I think it fell over and she picked it up) a baby opossum at that apartment, another horrifying moment but she was so proud of herself.

When I was contemplating moving into my current building, with the shop downstairs and apartment upstairs, I was so worried about how Mabel would adapt to a smaller space. I quickly realized though Mabel was happy just to be with me, she didn't care how small the apartment was as long as she could still sleep in our bed and be next to me at all times. Mabel loved the new apartment for people and dog watching. Before the storefront was open I had a big curtain hanging in the window so people couldn’t see in, Mabel would always duck under the curtain and watch people walking by. I would come home from work and she would have her stuffed animals (we called them her “babies”) lined up on the window ledge. I bet people were so confused about what type of shop I was opening. My friend Edra and I would joke and say that Mabel was showing off her “curated goods.” I started referring to Mabel as the Whilom Goods mascot.

After the store opened I would spend hours on Friday nights cleaning the shop and putting out new inventory, Mabel would always lay on the stairs and watch me, she would look so sleepy but she wouldn’t go to bed until I was finished. Mabel was always so so protective of me. I always felt safe living above the shop because Mabel was always watching out. When we first moved into this building she wasn't used to all the new sounds and would bark even if she heard high heels on the sidewalk outside. She quickly adapted though and could differeniate between the neighbor opening their door and someone opening our mailbox. If I heard a weird noise and Mabel didn’t start barking, I knew it wasn’t anything to worry about.

Mabel really had such a personality, if you knew her you know what a special pup she was. Everyone who met Mabel would comment about what a sweet girl she was. Mabel was always a bit skeptical of new people at first, making sure they weren’t a threat to me. She would check in with me to make sure she had the okay and then she would get one of her stuffed animals and bring it to them- this meant they were in. Then she would quickly be down for all the scratches and cuddles, often flopping herself on top of someone as if she didn’t realize she weighed 85 pounds.

It’s no secret that I love being home and am a self proclaimed homebody, but I loved being home so much because I just wanted to hangout with Mabel all the time. When I would pull in from work, I would always look up at the windows above the shop and she would be looking out waiting for me. If I sat in my car for even a minute Mabel would start barking at me until I got out and headed inside. Mabel and I spent so much time together over the last 6 years, but especially the last 3 years. When the pandemic happened and I worked primarily from home Mabel and I spent all day every day together. She was also here through my recovery after my hip surgery. She got me through so many break ups, disappointments, and crises. Taking care of Mabel gave me a reason to get up and go outside on the days when I was struggling the most. Mabel was always the happiest girl and it was impossible to stay sad around her. Some nights I would drink wine and dance around the apartment and Mabel was so used to my shenanigans, she would be unfazed. Mabel would just lay on the bed watching me while slowly wagging her tail and occasionally glancing up at the ceiling fan to remind me it was there and to be careful-she was always watching out for me.

Mabel and I grew up together, being her human made me who I am. Loving her taught me empathy, patience, kindness, and devotion. I learned how much love I’m capable of. Mabel and I had such a strong bond and she was able to pick up on every emotion. It's weird how when you share your life with a dog you start to move differently because of their constant presence, there’s so many little behaviors I have now because of Mabel. Over the years Mabel and I developed routines together, there were certain cues and phrases I would use with her that I never intentionally taught. We just sort of developed our own way of communicating. Sometimes when we were laying down I would hold out my hand and ask “do you wanna hold hands?” and she would put her paw in my hand and just let me hold it. I’ve never met a dog that loved cuddling as much as Mabel. When she would stretch out her body was almost as long as mine and she would lay firmly against me every night in bed. Mabel just always loved being included in whatever I did, her love and loyalty for me was unconditional. I know Mabel knew how much I loved her because I would tell her at least 30 times a day and give her as many nose kisses that she would allow before looking at me like “okay mom, that’s enough.”

My sweet Mabes left this world much much too soon. She deserved more life and we deserved more time together. I always told Mabel we were going to grow old on our farm together. Her passing has left a giant hole in my heart, its the type of pain I didn’t think you could feel and actually survive it. It doesn’t seem real or fair, a world without Mabel in it. I'm going to miss her everyday until I see her again. I already miss seeing her in the window, having her hair all over everything, feeling her snuggled against me at night, hearing her feet hit the floor when she gets up and follows me into the bathroom, and smelling her corn chip paws (IYKYK). She really was just the best girl.

Rest easy my sweet girl, thank you for loving me and letting me be your mom.

Thank you to everyone that donated, shared, sent thoughts and prayers for Mabel and I. The community in Richmond has shown me so much love and support during this time and I’m forever grateful. The messages and comments have helped me feel less alone during an impossible time. Big hugs to everyone xo