The following story was an entrant in the Tales of Summer Tails Photo and Story contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here!

Maya's favorite part of summer was the sunshine and sunbathing.

PHOTO: JOANN WILLIAMS

Living in the northeast, we have only a few months of the warm weather, and Maya would take full advantage of every warm minute.

She'd lay in the sun at every opportunity. When outside, she'd usually lay in the dirt, because the dirt was cool, sun was hot - our girl was smart. Inside, her favorite sunny spot was the sliding door in the back of the house, with the curtains covering her.

PHOTO: JOANN WILLIAMS

During cooler temps, she would move around the house finding the sunbeam to lay in. Summertime also meant that her fur friends were outside more, which meant daily doggy play dates - which included lots of rounds of zoomies through the yard.

She was the social butterfly of the neighborhood, greeting humans and dogs on every walk. We would say she was the Norm from "Cheers" of the neighborhood - everyone knew her and loved her.

PHOTO: JOANN WILLIAMS

Maya's life was filled with many ailments, from neck and leg issues to respiratory issues and cancer. It would seem after one issue would resolve, she'd have a few months reprieve, then another issue would present. Every one of them, she (and we) faced head on, and she kept being her happy, lovable self. Maya the warrior.

This story was submitted by Joann Williams in support of AHS-Tinton Falls. To read other stories from the Tales of Summer Tails Photo and Story contest, click here!