Maggie: Georgie's Souldog

When Georgie got in touch shortly after losing her beloved dog Maggie, the Maggie-sized hole in her life was obvious.

Maggie was a German Shepherd and Old English Sheepdog cross, a striking dog with a beautiful shaggy coat, but more than that, she was Georgie’s best friend. She had been there through so many chapters of life and was clearly one of those dogs who becomes woven into the fabric of a family.

Not long after, Georgie’s mum Sharon stepped in and quietly commissioned me to make a necklace of Maggie as a surprise birthday gift for her daughter. I always find that especially moving. It is one thing to miss a dog yourself, but another to want so badly to ease someone else’s grief that you give them a piece of that dog back.

When Maggie’s necklace was finished, she had such a gentle, familiar presence. Strong, soft and unmistakably her.

A few days later, Sharon wrote to tell me how Georgie had received it:

“Just to let you know that my daughter loves her ‘Maggie’ necklace, there were tears when she opened it.

I managed to last until the Saturday before her birthday, her partner had arranged a surprise garden party for her, and it was my task to take her out for the morning, we went for brunch and it was then that I gave her the necklace, as soon as she turned the package over and saw the name, she knew what it was!

My granddaughter, aged 4, took one look at the necklace and said its Maggie!

Once again many thanks, Georgie has a one off unique gift and we cannot thank you enough.”

That message stayed with me.

The image of a mother taking her daughter out for brunch, quietly carrying this gift, waiting for the right moment, then watching the tears come as soon as Georgie saw Maggie again. It says everything about how deeply loved this dog was.

And the fact that her four year old daughter looked at the necklace and instantly said, “it’s Maggie” means more than I can say. Because that is always the goal. Not just to make something pretty, but to make something that feels so true it is recognised straight away.

Maggie may no longer be there in the way Georgie wishes she was, but she is still close now. In silver, in memory, and in a piece made with love from one generation to another.

If you’ve ever thought about having a custom piece made, I’d love to hear your ideas. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.

Who knows? Your dog might just be the next one I’m smiling about at my workbench.