EDIT: Edited by Admin to remove video code for ingesting porpoises. (See New Topic)

Happy One Year Ampuversary Maggie!

October 20, 2010

One year ago today, we made the decision to give Maggie a second

chance on life. I thought I was prepared for her surgery, having really

known that she probably had soft tissue sarcoma on her left rear leg,

diagnosed by my sister, Gina, (a LVT) and then confirmed by Maggie’s

surgeon, Dr. Chris Miles of Lucerne Vet Clinic. She was in so much pain

prior to the surgery, the week between the biopsy and the actual

surgery date, was agonizing…very long minutes, hours, days to finally

getting her some pain relief. After surgery, when I saw Mags the first

time, I was so upset…what did we do to her…no turning back now..but wow,

did we do the right thing? Thank goodness my sister, Gina, was there

to keep things in perspective for me & help me get through that

first day at the clinic with Maggie.

When driving home, the closer we got home on October 22, 2010, there

was fresh snow on the ground. Oh yeah, just to make the struggles of

getting around for a newly amputated dog all that more difficult…for

both she and us. Then on October 25^th she wouldn’t eat.

Running a low grade fever for two weeks and struggling to get her to eat

in that time frame. Thankfully, she was drinking – and drinking A LOT.

Several trips back and forth to the surgeon and local vet to find out

what we could do to help – what was wrong? Those two weeks were pure

HELL. Totally. I got through it mentally with the help of my sister,

husband and friends. I still wasn’t sure we’d done the right thing.

But no turning back now…keep on struggling until finally her fever broke

and she started eating on her own again! Party! The little things

like eating that were such a triumph!

Then comes the day she can be FREE off a leash, after having been on

one for a very long time prior to surgery, as she was misdiagnosed as

having an ACL injury. After she got her stitches out and we came home, I

let her loose. I will never forget the emotions that ran through me

for those first few minutes of watching her. Her learning to meander

around the yard on three legs. Her happily grabbing a stick to chew on!

Another small triumph!

As the days, weeks and months have gone by, there have been many

triumphs for Maggie. She has gained in strength very slowly but with

the help of physical therapy that I do with her and being able to go for

short walks, she’s gained her life back mostly…only on three legs –

three healthy legs She earned her Rally Level 1 title in

APDT Rally Obedience in May. She competed at another Rally trial in

July earning more legs in Level 1 and Halloween weekend she is entered

in another Rally trial, this time in Veterans class. In November, she

is entered in the new Wag It Games where she will be in the special

“Heart Dog Program” for disabled dogs having special rules apply for her

disability! She plays a bit of down scaled agility in the back yard

but doesn’t compete in it anymore…but she’s OK with that..she has just

as much fun in the back yard We go for walks and she is up to a half

hour walk now on some pretty hilly ground. There was a day when she

couldn’t handle two days in a row of walking but now she can!

I am so proud of Maggie. The courage she has had to endure at times

for just the little things that she used to be able to do so easily –

like walking across a hardwood floor – and trying her best not to slip

and not be scared. Don’t worry Mags, I’ll help you when you need it.

You are a very special girl that was given a second chance and we are

VERY glad you were given that second chance!

I’m happy to report we made

the right decision!

Happy One Year Ampuversary to

my AgileCowDog Maggie!!

We started the Ampuversary party early on

Sunday! Here she is at one of my favorite places – Deboullie Pond. It

is State of Maine owned land with many surrounding ponds and walking

trails. From our house, it is 25 miles on dirt roads to get there.

While Mags can’t walk far on the trail anymore, she did venture on a bit

of it.

 

Maggie at

Deboullie Pond 10-17-10

 

10-17-10

Patiently waiting for my hot dog and hamburger!

 

Patiently

"staying" so I can go get my hot dog next!

 

Come on,

let's go for a walk!!

In the past couple of months, Maggie has really shown me how much

stronger she is on our walks. And with the now changing weather to

crisp, cool air, she is showing me even more how strong she is. She is

letting me forget on our walks that she is a Tripawd, she is so strong

lately! She really amazes me…even to this day, a year later, in her

accomplishments of living on three legs.

Here she is with her tendon chew as a gift for her Ampuversary. I’m

sure she’ll be getting lots of goodies as the day goes on today! So proud of you, Maggie! Keep on being

my AgileCowDog! You ROCK!

 

10-20-10

Happy One Year Ampuversary Maggie!

Signed your VERY proud Mom,

Tracy