Madison Smith

September 26, 2009 - November 23, 2020

A tiny, sad, scared pup with big brown eyes was rescued from the streets, and I adopted Madison on September 26, 2009. Shortly thereafter, we began obedience classes, and then agility classes, where she gained confidence and learned to have fun. Once we began competing in agility trials, she steadily moved up the ranks, earning entry in CPE’s national agility trials, among other accomplishments. She attended rally obedience classes and then trials, again doing very well. She became my kayaking partner, and traveling buddy. We went to the library, where children read to the dogs. We joined a local Dog Scouts group, and she earned several badges before the group disbanded. The badge I am most proud of is the Community Service Badge. To earn this badge, among other things, she raised $375 for a local humane society by getting sponsors for each qualifying run at agility trials. She also surpassed the required 40 hours of therapy visits, by completing well over 100 hours. It immediately became obvious that therapy work was her absolute favorite thing to do. She visited an elderly friend at a local retirement home. She also made biweekly visits to Central Ohio Youth Center. The boys were impressed with her beautiful beard, and the many tricks she performed for them. Everyone who met her came up with their own pet name for her: Maddie, Missy, Sweet Pea, Peanut, and Miss Maybelline Eyes (for obvious reasons). I said good-bye to Madison on November 23rd of this year. She will be greatly missed, but she will remain in my heart forever. -Kathleen Smith