Glenn Maloney faced a heart-wrenching moment that no parent ever wants to experience. He had the difficult task of telling his children that their beloved dog, Mugsy, was no longer with them.
The family’s ordeal began one afternoon around 3 p.m. when Mugsy, a lively 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was hit by a car outside the house of Glenn Maloney’s girlfriend, Viola Tiszl, in Severna Park, MD. Recalling the incident, Maloney shared with PEOPLE, “I picked Mugsy up, but he died in my arms.”
At that moment, Maloney was taking care of his children, Megan and Kevin. He wanted to protect them from the distress of seeing Mugsy in such a terrible state, so he instructed them to stay inside. Maloney checked Mugsy for any signs of life, but sadly, he found none. The dog wasn’t breathing and had no heartbeat.
Overwhelmed with grief, Maloney told Oprah, “I was really upset. So I buried him quick and I didn’t even tell the children. I didn’t have the nerve to tell the children, until like seven o’clock that night. Mugsy was dead.” The family later gathered outside for a small ceremony to bid farewell to Mugsy. Megan, deeply affected, requested to put a cross at Mugsy’s grave. Maloney assured her they would do so the next morning. After saying a prayer for Mugsy, the family returned inside, their hearts heavy with loss.
The next morning, the story took an astonishing turn. At 5:30 a.m., the family was awakened by a scratching noise at the door. To their utter disbelief, when Maloney opened the door, there stood Mugsy, tail wagging energetically. Both Tiszl and Maloney were shocked and a bit unnerved by this unexpected turn of events.
Tiszl speculated that perhaps Maloney had buried another dog that resembled Mugsy and had also been hit by a car. But Maloney was certain it was Mugsy he had buried, having checked the dog’s tags before doing so. To confirm, he even went out to check the grave, which he found had been dug up. Tiszl described Mugsy’s condition upon his return: “Mugsy was covered with dirt,” but otherwise, he seemed surprisingly lively. She reflected on the nature of Jack Russells, known for their burrowing habits, and mused, “I guess when he woke up in that hole, he just thought it was another old hole and he dug his way out, not knowing it was supposed to be his grave.”
The veterinarians had a theory about what happened. They believed Mugsy was probably in a deep sleep, with such a slow heart rate and other vital signs that it appeared as though he had no signs of life. Tiszl shared with Oprah, “The vet said that probably after six hours, he actually dug his way out.” This incredible story of Mugsy’s unexpected return is one that the family will never forget. It’s a tale that truly needs to be heard directly from them.
When Maloney saw Mugsy at the door, he was overwhelmed with emotions. It was a mix of shock, joy, and disbelief. The family quickly gathered around, unable to believe their eyes. They had gone to bed the previous night thinking they had lost Mugsy forever, only to find him alive and well in the morning. The children were especially ecstatic, their grief turning into sheer happiness.
In the days that followed, the family often found themselves talking about the incredible events. They were grateful beyond words to have Mugsy back. They also felt a renewed appreciation for the resilient spirit of their little dog. Mugsy’s return from what seemed like certain death became a cherished family story, a reminder of hope and the unexpected twists life can bring.
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