Mavis the Puggle

BY: CAROLYN DRINKARD

Life is just better with a dog! Dogs give companionship and affection, making life happier and reminding us of all the things that are good in this world. Dogs are even able to sense our emotions and offer empathy and healing. Most of all, dogs offer unconditional love that can change our lives forever.

One little dog has changed her owners in a way that no one could ever have imagined. This adorable, wrinkle-browed pup, with big brown Bambi eyes, lives in Tuscaloosa with her owners, Lynne and Will Kimbrough. The lovable pooch has not only become a social media darling, but she has also touched the lives of thousands, bringing good news at a time when everybody really needed it.

This story began years ago in the City of Thomasville. For 25 years, Lynne Kimbrough taught first grade at Thomasville Elementary School. Her husband, William “Bill” Kimbrough, served as the District Court Judge. In 2001, the couple lost their only child in a tragic automobile accident. Mellie Kimbrough was the light in her parents’ lives. A senior in high school, this beautiful child had a bright future ahead of her.

There are no words to describe the loss of a child. Lynne and Bill were drowning in in describable darkness and despair, when they were blessed with an unbelievable miracle: a baby boy born one year after losing Mellie. They named the child Will, after his father. When Bill Kimbrough retired in 2011, the family moved to Tuscaloosa. One of the first things they did was find a puppy for Will, one that could be a good friend to a nine-year-old boy.

Searching online, Bill found the perfect pup, a female puggle (pug and beagle mix). Bill suggested they name the fawn-colored little bundle of joy “Mavis,” after Lynne’s mother, who had sadly passed away in 2005. Much to Lynne’s delight, hearing her mother’s name called each day became a source of comfort.

In 2012, Bill Kimbrough passed away. Once again, as Lynne and Will struggled through unbelievable dark ness, Mavis seemed to truly understand. She quietly filled the holes in her family’s hearts with unconditional love and laughter, and she was always there to snuggle and comfort.

Before Alabama played LSU in 2013, Lynne posted a snapshot of Mavis with a toy tiger on her head. The caption read, “Mavis is not too concerned about the Tigers…Roll Tide!” Hundreds “liked” and shared the picture. After that, friends urged Lynne to let Mavis comment on other games. Thus began the media reign of the Crimson Tide’s most loyal four-legged fan, “Mavis, the Puggle.”

Each Saturday, before an Alabama game, Mavis shared a “wisp of wisdom” about her beloved Crimson Tide. The posts became so popular that if Lynne clicked a little later than usual, she got texts asking,

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“Where is Mavis?” For some, the moments with Ma vis became a much-anticipated event. In one nursing home, a group of Tide fans gathered every Saturday morning to hear what Mavis had to say before watching the game. The popularity of “Mavis, the Puggle,” grew with each post.

After medical authorities asked Americans to stay home in March 2020, Lynne Kimbrough had a brilliant idea! “Since people had loved Mavis so much for her Crimson Tide tidbits, I thought she might could entertain them and bring them a few moments of joy during the quarantine,” Lynne explained.

Thus began daily posts with Mavis putting forth practical ideas for coping with social isolation. For ex ample, on Day 1, Mavis encouraged everyone to “Take a bubble bath," as she herself basked in bubbles. In her most popular post, Mavis asked her followers to “Stay in Touch," while she face-timed her cousin, LuLu, a pup owned by Lynne’s brother, Joe Barnes. Lynne’s personal favorite was “Start Every Day with a Prayer,” showing Mavis with her head between her paws, praying.

For 70 days, loyal followers scrolled through Facebook to spend a few moments with “Mavis, the Puggle.” Whether chuckling at the portly pooch or thanking her for “making their day," thousands found comfort and hope from a little dog that seemed wise beyond her years.

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Lynne’s desire to entertain others during their days of darkness had some unexpected results, however. Strangers connected to Mavis, who, without saying a word, taught them to be more kind and compassion ate. Most important, Mavis made her followers feel that they weren’t alone.

Behind the pampered pooch were Lynne and Will Kimbrough. Using her artistic flair and unconventional creativity, Lynne fashioned costumes and props that added to the “tidbits of wisdom” mouthed by Mavis. Will organized the “shoots” and worked closely with Mavis and his mother. The threesome became a team, always staying about two weeks ahead of schedule so that they would never disappoint their followers.

Needless to say, “Mavis, the Puggle” emerged as a social media star with a vast wardrobe, which her personal assistant (Lynne) kept in Mavis’s own closet. The easy-going pup was the picture of patience and composure, which endeared her even more to Lynne and Will.

“Even though I dressed her up in all those costumes, she didn’t hold it against me!” Lynne laughed. “Mavis jumped up on the chair and even raised her paw to put her shirt on. She loved to have her picture made!”

Mavis, the Puggle, gained new followers with each “like” and “share”. As the 2022 football season moved along, Mavis’s views soared! The good-natured little puppy brought out the best in everyone she touched. Lynne and Will Kimbrough plan to continue sharing Mavis with the world. “I don’t see us stopping this,” Lynne said. “People would be so disappointed. Be sides, the way the world is today, we need a little good news!”

Mavis, the Puggle, made life better for thousands of people as she reminded everyone that there is good in the world. Along the way, Mavis also healed her grieving owners, without ever saying a word. Life is so much better with a dog!

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