Sorry, Tom Cruise, but PickleballTV broadcaster Michelle McMahon didn’t name her beloved Golden Retriever after your uber-famous character in the action drama “Top Gun.”

As cool as being US naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s namesake might be, the backstory here is a whole lot more heartwarming and sweet. Trust me on that.

“I chose the name because the way he came into my life was very serendipitous, and I felt like the name “Maverick” really embodied what he was for me and that we were about to trail-blaze the unknown of life together,” explained McMahon. “I actually named him after the significance of the name. Maverick means unorthodox, independent, and a non-conformist, all qualities that I tend to embody and all qualities that Mav seems to possess, too.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michelle McMahon (@meesh_mcmahon)

Rewind to April 6, 2019, a few days after her birthday, when she first brought 10-week-old Maverick home to her apartment on the 38th floor of a Chicago high-rise.

In retrospect, the handsome pup was the best possible addition in the midst of a long-standing health battle that still required healing and recovery.

“My sweet angel boy came into my life at a pinnacle moment when my health and psyche needed it the most,” revealed McMahon. “I was going through some health problems physically, and as a result, mentally, that began in 2017, and I started to realize that a dog would be really helpful for the circumstances I was managing, especially on the mental health side of things. With my physical health not being 100%, I could feel my mental health really slipping to a dark and negative place. It was around that time that my doctor and therapist recommended getting a service or therapy dog to assist me.”

The Emmy-winning sportscaster was eager to welcome a four-legged friend, but wondered if the demands of her profession were conducive to pet ownership, especially with odd hours and weekend duties, along with a hectic travel schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michelle McMahon (@meesh_mcmahon)

McMahon gave it a shot by becoming a professional dog walker for Golden Retrievers on her days off since she grew up with them and appreciated the breed’s intelligence and affectionate nature.

This wasn’t a side gig for extra cash - she actually donated all of her earnings to dog-related charities - but a way to enjoy “the comfort of having a dog for a few hours at a time” and to see if adding a Golden Retriever on a full-time basis made sense.

With the help of a mobile dog walking app, McMahon eventually matched with a pupper named Thumper who became her “Chicago buddy” that she walked whenever his owners needed a hand.

Six months into their budding relationship, however, she received a phone call that changed everything.

“It was Thumper’s owners on the line. ‘Hey, Michelle! I’m not sure if you’re in the market for a dog right now, but our breeder just contacted us and she has two puppies left - a boy and a girl - in a litter they weren’t expecting. We think you’d be the best dog mom.’ I was elated. This doesn’t just happen with Golden Retrievers falling into your lap, but on the other hand, I wasn’t fully prepared - no crate, no toys, no leash, no collar, no plan, nothing,” recalled McMahon. “I reached out to the breeder and explained my health circumstances, that I would need a dog that was calm, flexible, adaptable, easy to train, and one that could be trained as a service and therapy dog. I also knew I wanted a boy, so basically there was only one puppy that could be mine.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maverick McMahon✨🐶 (@maverickthegoldenchild)

Fortunately, the breeder was convinced that her male puppy was most definitely a match for this particular situation.

It seemed as though fate was working its magic.

“She said, ‘I promise you. I have your dog and he was made for the role you need him to be. I don’t need your money. I have plenty of people interested, but I have your dog and I think this is a perfect fit.’ I believe it was a God thing because it’s just crazy how perfectly he fit into my life, even though it seemed like raising a puppy in a Chicago high-rise wasn’t ideal,” shared McMahon.

“Ideal” or not, it clearly worked out for the best in the Windy City and wherever else life has taken them across the country.

Five years later, the pair remains completely inseparable.

“Maverick is literally the greatest gift I have ever been given in my life. That dog has pulled me through the mud of a pretty gnarly healing process at the time of going through it and supported me on my darkest days,” praised McMahon. “I swear it was as if he was handcrafted for me in every way. Like all dogs, he loves without condition and he’s hyper aware of my needs and emotions. He’s honestly kind of human. They say you get one soul dog in life, and I am 1000% certain he is my soul dog sent to me from heaven. Our relationship is just so special to me.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michelle McMahon (@meesh_mcmahon)

The University of Michigan grad proudly documents their wonderful adventures together on social media, including stops at professional pickleball tournaments where she’s calling the live action for viewers around the globe.

Maverick is a tremendous travel companion, of course, and he’s always on his best behavior when his mom is behind the mic.

“He’s so flexible with my work and travel schedule. He’ll sometimes be down silently in the production truck for six to seven hours at a time on a Championship Sunday without a peep. He just wants to be wherever I am, and I’m so grateful to work for a sport and company that truly celebrates him,” said McMahon. “It’s so amazing to have him in the booth with me and on the road. Dave Fleming always welcomes him into our space and treats Mav as his own.”

McMahon fondly remembers that when Ben Johns claimed his 100th career title on the PPA Tour at the Cincinnati Open in September 2023, Fleming was concerned that the celebratory post-match fireworks “might set off Mav and make him bark.”

But, that wasn’t the case at all.

She reminisced that Maverick simply “looked up to see if we were good, and then went back down to sleep for a few hours.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maverick McMahon✨🐶 (@maverickthegoldenchild)

It’s no surprise that his popularity at venues has skyrocketed given his fun-loving and approachable demeanor.

Maverick's fan base is unquestionably on the rise, and with good reason.

“All the pros love him so much and say he’s comforting to have around when they’re waiting to play and experiencing the highs and lows of competing. He’s truly such a little healer, and it brings me joy to also allow him to help others in this way,” mentioned McMahon. “It’s also super funny when pros and fans ask me ‘Where’s Mav?’ because we’re such a package deal.”

They sure are. 

McMahon speaks so eloquently about Maverick that you can’t help but appreciate this partnership.

“He’s just made to make everyone feel loved and happy. I love that about him. He’s taught me more about life than anything ever has, and I’m so grateful and lucky to have a dog like him. He has helped me get to homeostasis physically, mentally, and emotionally, but I also know what the other side of the coin feels like, so I never take a day of good health for granted,” she concluded. “It makes me sad knowing I’m on such borrowed time with him, but I try to treasure every waking second I get with him and make this life a living paradise for him in whatever way I can because he has saved my life in a lot of ways and because he deserves it.”

After reading that, is it any wonder that Maverick's Instagram handle is @maverickthegoldenchild?

I’d say it suits him to a tee.