This story is about Maggie, a dog who loved snow, and the Ice Center’s incredible act of kindness shown to Maggie during the last days of her life.
The couple, Elijah Saltzgaber and Marianna Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah, submitted this story as they faced the loss of their cherished dog, who had been a source of great comfort throughout the years. The dog, Maggie, a 10-year-old St. Bernard/Newfoundland mix, received a cancer diagnosis in July.
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Regrettably, cancer had affected the family multiple times before, making the news of Maggie’s diagnosis particularly challenging. Maggie had been a heartfelt gift from Marianna’s mother.
She was given shortly after the passing of her previous dog, Roxanne. Roxanne, also a St. Bernard, had been passed upon Marianna during her teenage years when her father was dying of cancer.
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Marianna’s husband revealed that she received the dog as a distraction and a new focal point. Marianna was deeply affected by Roxanne’s passing, bringing memories and emotions from her father’s illness. The death of her St. Bernard was severely affected by Roxanne. Increasing the sorrow, Roxanne was also caught by bone cancer.
The impending loss of Maggie was undoubtedly going to be challenging—another loss of a close friend and a companion swallowed by cancer. Owing to severe separation anxiety, Marianna had been taking Maggie to work with her since her puppy days until the cancer diagnosis. Initially employed in retail, Marianna transferred to professional dog walking, a move that suited both of them much more effectively. Eventually, Marianna established her own dog walking business, including Maggie in hikes and walking five days a week, developing a deep bond between them during their shared time together.
Courtesy of Elijah and Mariannas
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Having battled various health issues, Maggie faced another challenge when a tumor appeared on her leg. Elijah and Marianna, considering Maggie’s age and the increasing health struggles, decided against exposing the elderly dog to the trouble of amputation or chemotherapy. They felt it would be unfair to Maggie.
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
“We were aware that the time was upcoming,” Elijah recounted. Following Maggie’s diagnosis, they took a 10-day break to engage in activities like paddle boarding and revisiting the hot springs.
“Maggie had naturally served as our ring bearer.” However, the couple also hoped to locate a high mountain with a touch of snow for Maggie to enjoy. Given her St. Bernard/Newfoundland heritage, Maggie had a natural attraction for both water and snow. Elijah, Marianna, and Maggie, all sharing a love for these elements, spent considerable time playing with them and creating lasting memories together.
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
The colder climate initially drew Elijah to Salt Lake City, where he crossed paths with Marianna while employed at the same ski resort. Elijah revoked that every weekend, they go out skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or just hiking in the snow. Marianna adds, “Our lives turn around being in nature, and it allowed us to give Maggie and one another undivided attention.”
Maggie was given to Marianna as a gift from her mother when she and Elijah started dating. Then Elijah became a part of Maggie’s life from her early puppyhood. Saltzgaber expresses, “She was an incredible dog who brought my wife and me together. She enjoyed running around, taking joy in the snow, burying her ball, and playing with us to find it. It was something we all had a significant, healthy appreciation for.”
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Regrettably, their beloved dog would not live long enough to witness the arrival of this year’s first snow, missing it by just about a month. Marianna, on a Thursday night, made arrangements for Maggie’s departure on Monday morning. The couple had planned to dedicate her final weekend to another camping trip filled with hiking and paddle boarding.
“We were aware that after a lengthy weekend of camping and paddle boarding, she would be peacefully tired,” Marianna explained. “It was crucial for her to be calm and relaxed come Monday. Observing her face reflect anxiety was truly heartbreaking, and I wanted to ensure she remained in a healthy headspace. That is when I learned the possibility of her not seeing snow again.”
The couple reconsidered the idea of finding a snow bank for Maggie to play in. Elijah recounted, “I thought there would be something we can do.” They then decided to reach out on Facebook, asking if anyone had a personal shaved ice machine they could borrow. Elijah said, “Many people offered, but a couple of more practical minds suggested we get in touch with an ice rink.”
The Manager at the Salt Lake City County Ice Center, Tiffany King, responded to their request even on her day off and was more than willing to ensure there would be some “snow” for them to pick up on Monday morning. Elijah chuckled, saying, “It was way more than I could fit in my van.”
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
“Upon seeing her snow, she seemed a bit confused, but her eagerness to eat it was more than apparent,” Marianna chuckled. “After smoothing it out and tossing her creaky ball into the pile, she eagerly climbed on top and buried her ball. She settled comfortably on her snowy mound. She even took a nap, snoring loudly.”
“Maggie remained on her snowy mound as the veterinarian arrived, and it was there that she peacefully passed away in her backyard, surrounded by family, nestled in her beloved snow. Wilson remarked, ‘It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching, and serene moment—the most dignified way to bid her farewell.'”
“She was my better half. Her absence is profoundly felt,” Marianna revealed. “Adapting to not having her by my side has been challenging. My entire world revolved around her, and with her gone, I have lost a significant part of myself. I have never experienced a love like hers.”
Both Elijah and Marianna conveyed their deep appreciation for their community’s overwhelming love and support. They expressed profound gratitude for the last-minute assistance from the ice rink, enabling Maggie to enjoy playing in the snow one last time.
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna
Courtesy of Elijah and Marianna