From JuJu with Love

If you’re going to read this blog, there’s something you should know.

There’s a very important part of my life.

Her name is Maizey.

We call her Crazy Maizey, because she is crazy…in the best way. Silly. Goofy.

Somewhere along the way, she stopped being “my dog”

and became… everything else.

She’s a 37 lb 11 year old miniature golden doodle.

My constant companion.

My shadow.

My joy.

My comic relief.

Maizey came into my life when I was 50.

At the time, I thought I was just getting a dog.

I had no idea how much I actually needed her.

That year, I was starting a health journey. Nothing dramatic at first—just small changes. Eating better. Moving more. Trying to take better care of myself.

And then there were the walks.

Long walks. Every day.

Because when you have a dog, you don’t skip the walk.

Somewhere between those walks and the small changes, I lost 50 pounds.

And more importantly… I found a version of myself that felt stronger, healthier, and more like me again.

And Maizey was right there through all of it.

She still is.

She knows things.

The kind of things you can’t teach.

She knows when I’m not feeling well.

She knows when I’m sad.

She shows up without being asked—curling up next to me, kissing my face, staying close until whatever it is passes.

She listens to all my secrets.

And never judges.

She has never met a human she doesn’t love.

Honestly… how could anyone not fall in love with her?

But dogs are a different story.

After being attacked twice in our neighborhood, she’s cautious, sometimes scared. But people? She trusts them completely. Maybe because no human has ever hurt her.

Or maybe that’s just who she is.

Joyful. Open. Loving.

She greets everyone the same way—full-body wiggle, immediate jump, and a very clear expectation of belly rubs.

She loves chasing squirrels.

She eats sticks like they’re a food group.

She does not love car rides (despite my best efforts and a steady supply of peanut butter Kongs).

But more than anything, she just wants to be wherever I am.

On my lap.

Next to me on the couch.

Under my desk.

Curled up at the foot of the bed.

Close.

Always close.

People talk about once-in-a-lifetime trips and unforgettable experiences.

And I’ve had a lot of those.

But this?

This quiet, everyday companionship…

this unconditional love…

This might be one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

Someone once told me that dogs aren’t our whole lives…

but they make our lives whole.

I didn’t fully understand that back then.

I do now.

And if you stick around here, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of her.

From Juju with love 💙🐾