A small tribute to a very big soul.
In mid-September 2017, a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy named Presley walked into Trish and Rob MacGregor’s life and quietly rearranged everything. They renamed him Nigel. From that day forward he offered what Trish described as pure, unconditional love, the kind that looks at you with those deep amber eyes and somehow sees straight through to your soul. There wasn’t a mean bone in his body. Just kindness, joy, and infinite patience.
He played hard, barked at squirrels, loved his frisbee, slept beside his pack, and somehow managed to become part of the rhythm of our recordings. When he left on July 30, 2026, Trish wrote that her heart felt as empty as the house. Nigel had been the sun in her life. He still is — in memory, in the novels where he lives on as a character, and in every quiet moment that still carries his presence.
This short clip is made from the photos Trish and Rob shared, Megan’s beautiful painting of the three buddies, and the music written for him by Jon.
or TMU, losing Nigel means losing the best co-producer. He never needed a credit, but he was always there. He would pad into Rob’s office right on cue, keeping the podcast to the scheduled hour.
Run free, Nigel.
You were deeply loved.
– The Mystical Underground
7 Responses
Few of lifes pains are greater than the loss of a good dog.
But if it helps they get the better deal
You see to a Dog life is a long walk, existence a path .
They share the path with us a while and then we are left to walk on without them.
But consider
Imagine
You are born and there is a dog there on your first day, its there as you learn to walk and talk. Its there as you go through your teenage years. a constant comfort. Always dependable, always there.
That same dog is still there as you age, go to school, start dating , get married have children.
As life progresses you get old, but that dog is still there by your side even as you get weak and slow down and finally as you take your last breath, that faithful Pal is still by your side
Wouldnt that be wonderful, a dog for your whole life, never losing it ? Your first memory and your last
But thats the dogs perspective, its the better deal. They get to spend all of their existence with you their constant companion, from pup to old dignified gentleman . their human always there.
We are there for every step on their path, they are never alone
Lifes a long walk, we share the trail for a time and then we walk on alone
but they never do
They get the better deal, and thats OK
Beautifully said!
My husband and I have had the absolute honour of rearing four dogs together so far
Monty – the Schnoodle- passed away
Ralph- a rehomed Shih Tsu Lhasa Apso cross who thought he was a Labrador – passed away
Leo – a rehomed Shih Tsu who thinks he’s a cat – he’s 10 now
Artie a rehomed Shih Tsu that’s visually impaired aged five.
It is completely our pleasure to give these dogs our home and three of them a second chance at “family”
They have given meaning to our childless life. They ARE our family.
They mean literally everything to us. No holiday spent without them.
No celebration without them.
The love we share is AMAZING.
Fi
I understand completely!
Thanks, Mike.
Thanks, Mike. I sure hope you’re right!
I am both so sorry to hear about your loss and also joyous in Nigel’s spirit having such a positive and enduring light.
We grieve when we lose them but they are still around us.
Peace.
Thank you!!