Chester: Dogs fall head over paws in love, date six years, forced to part ways

For over five years, I witnessed a man spending time with his dog on the corner of Hogan's Alley and Inverness Drive in Chester. You'll probably find this hard to believe, but I did not utter a single word to them until two months ago.

It seemed like an odd time to wait for a school bus. I introduced myself hoping to find out what they were up to. I'm glad I did because I captured a wonderful love story.

The romance full of licks, tug of war, long walks and adventure took place in River's Bend located in eastern Chesterfield County along the James River.

Once upon a time...

After Samuel H. "Sam" Jones III had a hip replacement, his recovery plan included walking. He and his Goldendoodle Magnolia aka "Mag" began to take short strolls. Now 12, his canine companion, a certified service dog, was 10 weeks old at the time.

"Exercise and therapy for me just turned into an after-dinner routine for us," Sam said.

Jones and his beautiful dog sat on their favorite corner usually from 4:40 - 5:20 p.m., weather permitting. Magnolia's internal clock knew when it was getting close to the time of their evening outing.

"If I was late, she would sit in front of me and give me a deep stare," Sam shared.

I love Doodle dogs. My Double Doodle, a Goldendoodle and Labradoodle mix, named Kramer died last year from cancer at age 11. He was wonderful, the happiest dog I’ve ever known.

“When it comes to personality, Goldendoodle dog breeds naturally love people and are very social. This comes from both sides of the lineage but especially the retriever part of the mix,” Sam explained. “They are extremely loyal, great with kids and nonaggressive. Typically, they don’t have a ‘mean bone’ in their body. Goldendoodles generally are not huge barkers or growlers. They are more likely to love on you with kisses.”

The first day I met Magnolia, she was comfortably resting with her front paws crossed watching bicyclists, walkers and cars go by. Even when I pet her fluffy head, she stayed focused on observing the world around her.

However, when her friend Hank, a nine-year-old Goldendoodle, and his human companion Jeff Mathis showed up, Magnolia got on all fours to greet them. Hank’s a lucky duck. Jeff’s wife Jessica is a veterinarian.

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Weeks later, I met up with Sam and Magnolia to take a hike together through the woods. She excitedly zigzagged between my legs. I loved it since Kramer used to do the same thing. We explored land behind his home which is protected by the Capital Region Land Conservancy.

As we walked along the trail with a view of the James River, Sam told me all about Magnolia's boyfriend Maxwell aka "Max", a six-year-old Airedale Terrier. My ears perked up big time. I love Airedales. As a child, I walked our family dog Bengal Tarkus Tike aka "Brandy" while I rode a unicycle.

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“Maxwell and Magnolia met six years ago. It was love at first sight," Sam said. "They smelled each other and played. Magnolia spun around, and Max tried to throw her to the ground."

Maxwell's parent Mary Beth Mohan agrees that their two pets were instantly smitten with each other.

"They both were very excitable, happy and energetic young dogs in love," Mary Beth said.

The couple engaged in play dates three to five times a week, and their relationship blossomed.

"It was instant love and never stopped. Their love for each other grew every time they met with wagging tails, sniffs and licks," Mary Beth shared. "Max even lifted his leg on Mag one day to make his final claim. He also claimed Sam with the same gesture."

"Magnolia and I sometimes would go over to Max's house while his parents were away," Sam said. "I fed him; then, Magnolia entertained him outdoors with 'supervised' play sessions."

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"After our morning walks, Mag would follow Max home to get a special treat from our pantry," Mary Beth said.

"Max tried to teach Magnolia how to use a paw press to get a drink of water," Sam said. "But she opted to just let Max be her hospitable hero and hold it down for her."

If Magnolia could speak, Sam thinks she would describe Maxwell as caring, loving, friendly and smart. Mary Beth said, "Maxwell would describe Mag as sweet, kind, loving and classy since she always wore bows that our daughter gave her."

The special bond between the furry lovers gave family members another reason to take healthy walks. Many people in the neighborhood knew about the love connection between Maxwell and Magnolia. On occasion, Mary Beth overheard neighbors say, "There is Max, Magnolia's boyfriend."

"We all were walkers prior to their relationship but knowing we could find Sam and Mag at the corner would make us take that special route home," Mary Beth said. "My daughter and grandchildren looked forward to chumming around with the dogs who were head over paws in love with each other."

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Sam, his wife Valerie and Magnolia recently moved back to Florida to be closer to relatives. It caused an emotional tailspin for the lovers.

Magnolia did not want to leave Maxwell. She got extremely sick in Florida with a broken heart.

"I had to take Magnolia to the vet four days after we moved. She had not eaten since we left Virginia and lost three pounds," Sam said. "She was diagnosed with gastroenteritis caused by the stress and anxiety from being away from her boyfriend. After she had an IV for seven hours and rested, she felt much better. The next morning, she was happy to have the catheter removed."

"Maxwell misses his fluffy, soft, playful Magnolia as well as Sam, his best friend," Mary Beth said. "He is having a hard time not seeing them around on our walks. He often stops and just looks back as if he is searching for something. I think it is them."

"Since you have left, Maxwell has led me to your house every evening you're not at the corner. He looks around your house for Magnolia," Mary Beth commented to Sam on Facebook. "He won't leave. I have to pull his leash with a lot of verbal convincing that we need to head home."

According to Mary Beth, Maxwell sniffs the abandoned corner thoroughly and pulls her to Magnolia's former backyard where he pees everywhere to mark his territory. Sam left toys for Max so he could recall the countless hours he and his gal played with them together.

"Anyone that has met Sam and Magnolia will agree that it was a pleasure to get to know them," Mary Beth said. "We personally feel blessed to have experienced this unique friendship with them. It feels like a family member has moved away."

After the Jones trio moved, I crossed paths with Hank and Jeff. Hank looked depressed. "He misses Magnolia," Jeff said.

I interviewed Ed McDowell who owns the home at the corner where Sam and Magnolia hung out together.

"It was interesting for us to watch the activity and gathering of friends and neighbors. We miss that since they’re gone. We look out and expect to see Sam and Magnolia but of course they’re not there," McDowell said. "He always said it was so she could see the people. He also enjoyed people-watching and meeting new friends. It was a good way to do it."

In June, Sam and Magnolia plan to pick a corner in their new neighborhood after their home is built in Clermont, a city in Lake County. However, they will spend quality time together in the mornings since Florida afternoons are wicked hot.

"Magnolia will miss having Max attend her birthday parties, but we'll keep in touch via Facebook and texts," Sam said. "We look forward to socializing with new neighbors and making new friends."

The Jones family gives a special shoutout to their River's Bend friends who they miss dearly: Hanky, Bandit, Tillie, Diamond, Daisy, Prince, June, Boggie, Bear, Mango, Buddy, Chuck, Tank, Gracie, Lady, Soldier, Millie, Pete, Zeus Apollo, Sophie, Rachel, Lilly, Belle, Legend, Diamond and especially Maxwell.

I have faith Magnolia and Maxwell will find peace and happiness after being forced to part ways.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Dogs fall head over paws in love, date six years, forced to part ways