Maggie just had her physical and all tests came back in the normal range, including her liver tests which had been abnormal. She seems to be on the road to recovery. It's been 18 months since she was supposed to be put to sleep.

Andi...from our Maggie (16 years old and hanging on) to your Maggie...bravo. Glad she's doing so well!

And from Daisy, who was 4 yesterday, and Gizmo who we think is 9, but had no papers other than from the pound requiring that he be neutered and licensed, HOORAY FOR MAGGIE!!!!

Andi, that is really wonderful news. She's a special girl!

Great news, Andi and Maggie!!

...and a high five paw to Maggie from (our) 13yr old Duncan, the dachshund! So glad she is fully recovered, enjoying a happy & healthy life!
- Michele

Maggie, YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

Betty

This dog has obviously got nine lives!! Wonderful news, you just never know do you! Keep it up Maggie, you will outlive all of us! :app:

Great news
I was almost afraid to open the post but then I saw the happy face so I knew that it was ok.Our cat was sick for about a week after we got home and he wouldn't eat. We were so worried. He is about 18 and according to our Vet has a lot of things wrong with him. Some of the same problems as Marty as a matter of fact.I was waiting for the Vet to say that he needed a knee and hip replacement and a pacemaker (the cat that is)The only thing that cat has that we don't is an overactive thyroid.He eats and eats and doesn't gain weight.

We're so happy for you and Doug, Andi. Congrats on the most amazing Miss Maggie!

Masaki

Ditto to what Masaki said. Maggie is truly amazing!

From Niko and I....

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :app: :app: :app: :app:

GO MAGGIE!!!!

I too was worried when I saw her name, but so nice to hear she is well. Amazing the love we invest in our pets.

My cat had an accident over the holidays--he had his abdomen ripped open, probably on some kind of tool stored in the basement during some renovations. It was about 3 inches long, and right down to the peritoneum, so he literally almost had his guts ripped out. Just blithly licked it clean. $500 later, and some TLC, he is fine again. He's young and resilient. But I invested quite alot of anxiety into that incident. I can imagine what you have been through with Maggie.

Thanks for the wonderful Maggie update....a huge hug to that precious pooch from us!! :hug:

Yikes, Wendy! Glad to hear that your cat's ok!!

Masaki

Maggie and we thank you for your kind words. We have spent oodles of $$ making her well again.......worth a couple of cruises.

Wendy, glad your kitty is well again!

AND it was worth every penny!

Doug

Doug & Andie,

Somehow I don't think it was all the money you spent to make Maggie well. I think you two... loved her back to life!
Good job!!!!!

Betty

Aw, Betty!!!

Thank you so much.
However it occured, we are thankful that our little girl is still here & full of life...at times, too full of life..... but how can we bitch? (grin)

Doug

Doug - You are so dead on right. We should never question why we have the good fortune of spending more time with our furry children than we thought we would - rather, we should celebrate that time. A week ago, Pat & I said good-bye to our dear Boris, the most charming little terrier mix in the universe, two and a half years after he was given only a few weeks to live when he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. We have declared that he did not lose his battle with that dreadful disease. Rather, we state that he beat the wretched illness by having more than two very good and happy years of life after the doctors told us he would be gone within weeks. Altogether, we had the joy and privilege of almost ten years of his companionship and love. So celebrate the life of Maggie and indulge in every wonderful aspect of her time with you (even if that means having carpets cleaned or chairs reapolstered after chewing episodes - some dogs think that leather is something to attack...). Cheers, Fred

Fred, I am so so sorry to hear about Boris. That is just the hardest day!! We wouldn't have these little guys if they weren't wonderful and it's so painful when they pass away. He was a lucky dog to have such a wonderful home.

Someone sent me this... it's a bittersweet tale about death through a child's eyes

...and a child shall lead them.......


A four year old child's wisdom: Why dogs do not live as long as people?

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and
being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

So glad to hear Maggie and Wendy's cat are doing well. I am so sorry Freddie for your loss. I know this is a terrible time for you and Pat. Many of us consider our furry friends as additional children (or only children!). Our little Yorkie is my companion during the numerous times that my husband travels. As she ages, I worry about the dreaded day we will say goodbye. But in the meantime, at 13, she still gives us much pleaseure!
Cheers, Pam

Between Maggie, and Wendy's cat and Boris and Kathy's story I go back and forth from tears of joy to sadness....and for all of us, we know the joy and love and laughs our guys give us makes the losses bearable. Thank you all for sharing.

Yeh, I spent some time in tears this morning. Thinking about poor Fred and Pat got me thinking about when my own dog Shadow had to be put down. My son and I stayed with her, and it was a grim experience, but I'm glad we did it.

Oh Fred (and Pat) I am SO very sorry to hear about Boris! You have such a wonderful attitude about it, but it still isn't easy!! Sending HUGE hugs your way!!! :hug: :hug: :hug:
Sheri
p.s. Kathy - LOVE that story!!

Freddie:
Thanks for your kind words. I am so sorry to hear about Boris, but thrilled that you (& he) had those 'extra' years!

To everyone else, yes we love these furry kids. Who can blame us! They often become our best friends.

As Groucho once said, Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it is too dark to read.

best, Doug

Fred and Pat, So sorry to hear of your loss. Pets do ingrain themselves in our hearts forever.

A man I work with just had to put his beloved Lab, Roamer, down this week. He's heartsick but knows that Roamer was too ill to sustain any quality of life. A hard, but very humane, decision.

Freddie and Pat,
I'm so sorry to hear about Boris. These are such difficult times as we love our furry children so much. You both have such a wonderful attitude and he's lucky to have had you as parents!! God Bless!

Fred and Pat - sorry to hear about Boris - it's been a hard week for pets. Our former neighbors who are moving from Honolulu to Sardinia, Italy lost one of their 3 cats in transit and we're heartbroken for them as well.

Masaki

Andrea & Doug:

Maggie's quite the gal alright. I remember how surprised I was of the bright colorful sheen of her coat and the happy greetings she favored us with. I do remember too that she could be quite feisty protecting her assets...you...when the window installer came one day. But perhaps she was ticked at him for being so slow in installing various windows.

Fred & Pat: We can feel your pain. We no longer have any pets and when we had to put down our black lab after 14 years, that was one tearful day(s) in this household.

Cheers! Ray & Penny