‘Maddie the Bulldog’ says her last goodbyes to GU fans, family

Maddie the Bulldog, embraced by many as the unofficial mascot of Gonzaga University, had sad news to share on Facebook Tuesday evening. Having participated in Canines for the Cancer and Relay for Life as often as she could, the dog has developed the disease herself.

Maddie has osteosarcoma, a fast-growing bone cancer, according to her owner, and no amount of chemotherapy or an amputation would cure her.

Maddie had gone into the vet for a routine dental checkup when Joann Waite, who calls herself “Maddie’s human,” decided to get her limp checked out as well. That check revealed a tumor on Maddie’s left shoulder.

Waite decided it would be best to keep the last days of the English bulldog’s life happy and pain-free. She said Maddie has about a month to live.

Maddie spent the majority of her life in the Bing Crosby building at Gonzaga, where Waite works as the director of sponsored research and programs. Sometimes GU parents would message Maddie’s Facebook page, worried that their children might be having problems while away at school. Waite sends their students straight to her office, where Maddie offers comfort and a friendly shoulder.

Several students who have come to see Maddie over the years have developed cancer or lost a loved one themselves, Waite said.

She tends to gravitate toward anyone who is stressed or upset, Waite said.

Maddie has had an active social life at Gonzaga, making appearances at recruitment events, new student orientation and a few sporting events. Her Facebook and Instagram accounts have over 1,000 followers. She even has a boyfriend, another bulldog named Winston.

In her free time, she loves watching HGTV, sports channels and Animal Planet, though sometimes the latter gets her a little too rowdy and she’ll start barking at the TV, Waite said. But for the most part, she’s a pretty sedentary, laid-back dog.

“We’d always joke that she’d say, ‘I can’t keep this figure if I exercise too much,’” Waite said, referncing the dog’s compact proportions.

Maddie’s family has asked that people send stories about anything the canine has done to make their lives better to maddie@aoaonaturalpets.com. Since posting her announcement on Tuesday, Maddie has received over 900 emails, but she still welcomes more stories.

Waite has a friend who plans on making children’s books about Maddie, with the proceeds going to the study of canine carts for disabled dogs.