Gail with Paige & Maeline with Isis – Sunnybank 2007
I’m so sad to report that my friend, Maeleine Loos (Rocking Horse Farm in Bedminster, NJ) passed away on September 30. She succumbed to brain cancer at home with friends and her beloved collies by her side (Mandy, her rescue sable rough girl and Isis, her blue rough girl from Deep River). Maeleine lived an active life teaching agility and obedience and enjoying her horses. She owned and trained “Jodi,” OTCH Waltstone Impulse, a daughter of CH Wickmere Chimney Sweep. Jodi became the first UDT Collie in the country to earn the OTCH title when it was introduced by AKC. Maeleine and her husband Ron were members of the foundation group for the Therapy Dog International program and worked actively for many years with this group, including work in NYC just after 9/11. Maeleine and Ron also rescued and trained several other Collies, along with two German Shepherds, and earned countless titles with them all. Each year at Christmas, Maeleine made donations to rescue groups including our own Collie Rescue of the Carolinas.
Following Ron’s death several years ago, Maeleine, then in her late seventies, developed a new interest and began herding with her rescue collie Mandy HIAd, TDI and later with her Deep River’s Image in Ice HSAd, TDI (Isis). Having decided that she didn’t care to wind up hurt by a sheep, she, Mandy and Isis pursued duck titles, and Maeleine delighted in telling everyone how she learned to “shuffle” when she walked, so she wouldn’t step on the ducks and injure them! I believe this was advice that Claire gave her when they met when we were all in PA at the Scarlet Mills herding trials.
Maeleine was always wonderfully willing to help others with training and was always thrilled to see another Collie owner in the performance ring. In our last conversation on September 25, Maeleine told me that her little Isis had helped her so much and kept her spirits up, picking up things she dropped and bringing her favorite slippers. Their devotion and love for each other transcended this life. Gail Wright, Maeleine’s good friend and collie training pupil and her understanding husband, took Mandy and Isis to live with their own two collies. Gail says that Isis especially seems to miss Maeleine but is happier since Gail brought a few items of her mistress’ that Isis and Mandy sleep with.
We will all miss you so very much, Maeleine! God Bless You!
Isis Sleeps with Maeline’s Shirt
From Gail Wright 9/19/09:
Dear Kathy,
What a wonderful afternoon we had. The sun was bright and the weather crisp, the best type of fall day. While unable to sit unaided, Maeleine, Isis and Mandy went to see the beloved horses, her health aide gently pushing. While the horses made cider out of a few hand-fed fresh apples, Maeleine glowed at her family. After finishing, Condor reached down over the fence and rustled her hair and then reached further and reached her hand. All the while, Isis stood on one side and Mandy on the other. As we went back to check on the fish, a car began down the driveway. Both Mandy and Isis left Maeleine’s side and went straight down the drive standing side-by-side right in the middle. I called and they did not move. Then Maeleine called and they looked back, but did not move. That was a shock! The driver, one of Maeleine’s best friends who was coming from Maine to say good-bye, got out and walked to us. The girls, however, were not going to let anyone proceed and hit their mom.
Last weekend Maeleine called those who meant most to her in her life, and now she is gracious beyond belief and living each day to the best of her ability. Dr. Campbell said she would not make it to Monday — guess he didn’t mean last Monday after all. Most of all, guess he doesn’t know the strength and dignity of this woman.
I promised you an update and here it is. The girls are doing well, but their eyes tell of their concern. They are never more than a few feet away from Maeleine. I will bring Paige and Jami tomorrow and run them all in the fields to help strengthen their bonds. Then we’ll play on the agility equipment. They have always enjoyed each other.
Maeleine told Joan that Isis is the thing on earth that she most loves. Thank you. The gift of Isis was beyond measure for a gentle, loving, really strong woman at the time she most needed her. She helped Maeleine get through Ronny’s death and now she is gently providing her support at Maeleine’s. Priceless!
Gail