Maya “Maya Bear” Langlie

Maya “Maya Bear” Langlie

June 6, 2008 – March 9, 2024

Maya Bear trotted into my life at just 6 weeks old, looking like a tiny polar bear and instantly stealing my heart. She was cute, cuddly, and somehow already in charge. From that day forward, everything in our family revolved around her—Maya wasn’t just in our orbit, she was the sun we all revolved around.

Over the next 16 years, Maya perfected the art of being my shadow. If I was cooking, she was supervising—often “taste testing” anything within reach. She loved chasing bunnies, birds, and rabbits (and firmly believed she could catch them), but her happiest days were in winter. Snow was her playground. She’d leap, pounce, and roll until she was exhausted…then just lay there until we physically dragged her inside.

Maya was a foodie through and through. Chicken, jerky, cucumbers, Oreos—you name it. She even had beer preferences. Light beer? Absolutely not. IPA? Now we’re talking. She was also a professional troublemaker—mail, books, cardboard boxes, presents, cash, homework—if it was important to you, Maya would find it and destroy it. Too cute to be mad at, though, so we took pics of her crimes for posterity.

She was smart, sassy, and bossy in the best way. She told us when to feed her (5:00 on the dot), when to go for walks, when she wanted to go outside, and—most importantly—when it was bedtime. Her method? Howling and knocking things off shelves until we listened. Every night she brought her favorite blankie and bunny upstairs, squeaked them with enthusiasm, and curled up next to me to watch TV before we drifted off together. That bedtime ritual will forever be one of my most treasured memories.

Her big brown eyes could melt steel, and her personality was even bigger—equal parts sweet and spicy. She loved car rides, tug-of-war, and being with her pack. She had a vocabulary that impressed everyone and a knack for making her feelings known. She made me laugh, comforted me, and reminded me to slow down and enjoy the little things.

While my husband, son, and daughter loved her dearly, Maya and I were the closest. Through work trips, kids growing up and moving out, and all the quiet moments in between—it was me and Maya. She kept me safe, happy, and loved. She gave me purpose. She taught me patience, curiosity, and how to truly savor a good snack.

Maya Bear, my pretty, pretty princess, my honey bear, my little girl—thank you for every wag, every sass, every cuddle. You were more than my dog. You were my heart. Rest easy, my sweet girl. You were so darn cute, and you will always be loved beyond words.💗

XOXO

Your mom forever