Hi Maggie's Mom

I'm so sorry for the shock of seeing your precious baby hurting so much and looking so different.  The first two weeks are tough.  My Cemil is also a left-front amputee, and it took him longer than most to get back to normal.  But he did.  There are a lot of things he had to learn how to do differently, like lying down and getting up, jumping onto the bed and down again, going up and down steps and over curbs.  He still hasn't mastered the dog door--he finds it easier to bark and let me open the slider for him.  While under the influence of his pain medication, he also didn't want to eat, so I gave him every kind of bribe I could think of--ground beef and turkey, cheese, eggs, cat food, cottage cheese, chicken and beef broth, in all combinations.  Some days, I had to hand feed him, one bite at a time.  He lost a little weight, but he finally started eating his regular food again.  I found that the bonita flake cat treats that Flint River sells worked really well to wrap up a bribe-enclosed pill.  Now, our deal is that if he doesn't eat his pills with his food, I'm going to push them to the back of his throat and blow on his nose until he swallows.  He prefers eating them with his food.  But none of that reasoning stuff happened until he was off the pain medication.   I suspect that will be your next positive milestone.  The pain medication really messes them up, but it's necessary the first few days.

I'm sure things look pretty bleak right now, but be prepared for miracles as Maggie explores and figures out her new world.  I'm looking forward to reading about it.

Mary and Cemil

Maggie & Mom,

We are very sorry to hear of Maggie's diagnosis and need for the amputation.  I know that a week is a long time to wait for the final diagnosis, but it will pass quickly.  Once you get the final diagnosis, you can see what you are up against and fully explore your options.

As you have already heard, each responds differently to the conditions so there really is no "normal".  Cherry (also a front left amputee) was so glad to see us that she dragged the teck across the room.  Upon arriving home she ate extremely well but then the drugs and chemotherapy too over.  As long as the chemicals were in her body, Cherry was not the same little girl and I had to stuff nearly every morsal of food for the duration of the chemotherapy treatments.  I mention this not to freighten you, but to let you know that even though you will have difficulties now, there will be a recovery and old Maggie will return.  Give both Maggie and yourself time and you will be amazed how adaptive they are.  Cherry is just weeks from her one year ampuversary, the sparkle is back in the eye, and there is definately an imp back.  I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) to help demonstrate the entire process.

Be sure to stay as upbeat as possible.  Maggie will pick-up on your feelings.  During our worst, I would leave the house, totally loose it, recompose myselfe, and only then return to Cherry.  Also, be sure to remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.  Find something that Maggie loves and can continue to do, then exploit that love to provide purpose to Maggie's life.  For Cherry it has been the rides in the truck/car.  It was the first and for months, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered.  As the time for these rides approaches, one can see the excitement build.  I think the Jake's mom will tell you that it was the swimming pool for Jake.  Find this for Maggie and her spirit will grow quickly as will the healing.

Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts From the West Coast,

Bob & Cherry