The Story of Maggie

Prologue

Somebody tried to get in.

I don't think I'll ever forget how frightening that was. It was the Friday night before Mother's Day, 2001 and I was home alone. It was a nice night, so I left the front door open and the screen locked.

I was in my office, which at the time, was in the back of the house. All of a sudden, I heard the screen door rattle. It sounded as though somebody took hold of the handle and tried to rip the screen door off the hinges.

With my heart pounding, I quietly walked down the hall and stepped into the foyer. No one was there.

I closed and locked the front door, turned on every light and double-checked the locks on both sliding glass doors, the garage door, and the windows. I then sat on the couch and waited for my husband to come home.

When he arrived, he noticed all the lights and asked what happened. I told him and then stated very firmly, "Tomorrow, we're going to go get a dog."

And so begins "The Story of Maggie" . . .


Chapter One - The Search Begins

We left the house fairly early Saturday morning with a list of shelters to visit. First stop was Camp Pendleton. We got there only to find that the shelter was closed.

Next stop, Carlsbad Humane Society. There were lots of dogs there, but none that really appealed to us.

Back towards Oceanside we go to a small shelter that I can't even remember the name of. There was a litter of pretty cute puppies, but I didn't want a puppy. I wanted a dog at least two years old. No luck.

By this time, both of us were getting weary and hungry. There was one more shelter on the list. Rancho Coastal in Encinitas. I called to find out how late they were open and they were going to be closing in an hour.

Off we go . . . at a speed that certainly would have been one enough to get us a ticket if we had been pulled over. But, I was on a mission. I would find my dog and she would be coming home with me. I had already decided that she would be a "she."

We arrived at the shelter (in record time, I think) and went back to the dog kennels. We each went a different way. Some of the dogs were barking and jumping . . . some were just laying down . . .and then, there she was.

Chapter Two - I Found Her

Blue was the name on your information sheet. Named for your one blue eye, I figured. "All American" was the breed, meaning they really didn't know what kind of dog you were, and you were approximately 3 years old (Turned out you were only 2). You were sitting so pretty, so quietly . . . not too close to the kennel door, not too far back.

I walked up closer to the kennel door and said, "Well, hello. You sure are pretty."
You just looked at me with those eyes. I coaxed you to come closer and you were a bit shy. I asked you to stand up so I could see how tall you really were. You were not at all what I had envisioned . . . I thought a nice smallish dog weighing 10 pounds would be perfect. . . you were not-so-smallish weighing in at just over 50 pounds.

I reached over and patted your head and said, "Good girl. Can you sit?" You did just as I asked.

My mind was made up. YOU were coming home with me. I didn't leave your kennel . . .I waited for my husband, soon to be your Papa, to find us. He did . . .and when I said, "She's the one. She's coming home with us," he replied, "Oh. . . she's kind of big."

"She's not that big. Besides, look how pretty she is."
"Don't you think we should at least spend some time with her in one of the play areas?" he asked.
"Okay, you go find someone."
"Don't you want to come with me?" he asked.

I just looked at him. He understood . . .there was no way I was leaving your kennel.

Chapter Three - You Won His Heart

Into the play area we go. You knew you already had my heart. And, I think you knew you needed to win his.

The first thing you did was rest one paw on his knee, and then your head. He pet your head and then you slowly stood up to your full height and looked him in the eyes as if to say, "See? I'm not mean."

That did it. The paperwork was filled out and you were going home with us.

Chapter Four - Welcome Home Maggie

An adventure from the beginning. After we left the shelter with you, we started talking about names. I wanted you to have an "M" name because your human-brother and -sister had "M" names. So, Maggie it was. And you responded quickly to your new name.

We stopped at PetCo on the way home and bought all the items you would need. A harness, a lead, a bed and a blanket, some toys, dishes, food, and cookies (of course!).

When we arrived home, you explored a little bit . . . you were timid, at first. We set up your new bed and showed you where it was, laid down a blanket and showed you where that was. Put your new dishes down and soon you became accustomed and made yourself comfortable.

That first night, I moved your bed into our room and showed you where you would sleep. You curled up and went right to sleep. Sunday morning, Mother's Day, I was awakened by the feeling that someone was staring at me. I opened my eyes, and there you were, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as if to say, "Good morning! Can I go potty now?"

Of course . . . I got you dressed in your new harness and took you outside. You did your job and then in we went for breakfast. I just loved you more and more as each minute passed.

I had the next day off from work, so I was glad to be able to stay home and spend a nice long day with you. In the morning, you walked your Papa to the door to send him off to work. I heard him say, "No Sweetie, I have to go to work. Go lie down with your Mama."

And you did. You jumped up on the bed and curled up next to my stomach. I tried to correct you . . .you weren't supposed to be on the bed, but all you did was snuggle closer. I put my arm around you, and from that day forward, you slept in what became known as "the big bed" always right next to me.

Chapter Five - Time Flies

Father's Day was coming up, and we decided to take you with us to Grandma & Grandpa A's house for a barbecue. You got to meet the rest of the family. Everybody just loved you. You were very polite and let everyone pet you and, yes, you even got some pretty good snacks out of the day. . . and of course, a nap with Papa.
Summer came, and you loved to lay in the sun in your backyard. We had to keep you on a lead for a few months while out back because we had gaping holes in the fence. I was perfectly content sitting out there with you for hours on end.

When the new fence was put up, you were surprised when I said it was okay to go out. You actually waited for me to get you dressed. Finally, I went out and called you . . .and then you realized that you could go out whenever you wanted.

Labor Day was next . . . and another visit to Grandma & Grandpa A's. They had a surprise for you!

Grandpa went to the butcher and asked for the best bone they had. And boy, was it a bone!

You had quite a hey-day chewing on that thing!

Fall approached quickly. By now, you were such a big part of our daily life. We loved having you as part of our family . . .and you loved just being close to us . . .

Our first Thanksgiving . . . I cooked a big dinner for just the three of us. Your human-brother was out of town that year. You got a nice plate of turkey with (almost) all the fixings. And, of course, another nice nap with your Papa . . . you loved a good nap!

Our first Christmas . . .you were so patient with us making you sit still to get this picture.And you were sooooo delighted when you saw your stocking full of new toys! You pretty much "de-squeaked" all of them in record time. . . but it was fun while it lasted.

We rang in the new year with you and I remember thinking that I couldn't believe how fast your first year home with us was flying by.

Chapter Six - A Sister for You

Just before your one year annivesary of coming home, your Papa started talking about getting you a sister. I was a little bit leary about that idea . . . you were used to being the only fur-child.

After much discussion with both you and your Papa, it was decided that it might be time for you to have a sister.

Enter into our home: Little Sheila

You were so curious about that little creature in the "play pen." And sometimes, when Sheila would howl, you'd look at me and I could almost hear you say, "Mama, what were thinking?"

I do know that there were times when you were feeling especially needy. I would just scrub your ears and reassure you that you would always be my girl. Take, for instance, this picture:

You got up on the couch, laid down and stayed there for a good three hours. By the time you got up, my arm was completely numb. . . and I was okay with that. You were, after all, my Sweet Maggie.

After a few weeks of adjusting to having a sister, you took your role of Big Sissy to heart. You groomed her:
and played with her:

She followed you everywhere . . . even to the side of the house where you knew you really shouldn't be. But the blinds were open, and I was in my craft room. Both of you were peering in the door as if to say, "Um, hi! Can you let us in, please?"
Sheila adored you and always looked up to you. Even though she would chew on you and pester you, you were so very patient with her (most of the time). You were a very good Big Sister.


Chapter 7 - Years Continue to Fly By

My Dear Sweet Maggie, it seems like it was yesterday when you came to be a part of our family. Time went by so fast and you matured into a wonderful adult dog. Always minding your manners, always snuggling. Your 9th birthday was approaching and I started to notice how white you were getting around your muzzle and above your eyes.

I'd hold you tighter and hug you longer. You were still energetic and happy, but I noticed you weren't too interested in wrestling so much with Sheila anymore. You preferred to lay in the sun, or nap on the couch.

Chapter 8 - You're Limping?

Five months after your 9th birthday, you woke up one day and I noticed you were limping.

Hmmm . . . that's curious. I waited a few days, and when it didn't improve, I took you to see Dr. Rick. He said you probably sprained your elbow and if it didn't get better in a week or so to bring you back for Xrays.

It didn't get better, so I made an appointment for you. But, the weekend before that appointment, I noticed that you didn't have much of an appetite. I begged you to eat on that Saturday. I even made you your favorite dish of scrambled eggs and rice. You ate some of it, but not much.

I called the doctor first thing Monday morning and asked to bring you in right away because you still weren't eating much and I just knew something was wrong.

Dr. Rick wasn't there that day, but Dr. Graner was able to see you. Xrays and blood work were done. And the Xrays didn't look good. He referred us to California Vet Specialists for an ultrasound. The results didn't look good, so Dr. Krawiec referred us to the hospital in Carlsbad.

Dr. Proulx and Dr. Dhupa were very kind and you really liked Stacie (your nurse who brought you the yummy food). They were a bit perplexed because the Xrays and ultrasound showed a mass, but your bloodwork wasn't really all that bad.

We opted for exploratory surgery to find out what exactly was going on. Your Papa and I had a long talk about it . . . we couldn't not know what was happening. And we had hope that you would be fine because of your bloodwork.
You went in for surgery on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. I kept myself busy by puttering around at the store. When the phone rang, I caught my breath.

"Hello?"
"Is this Maggie's mom?"
"Yes it is." please let her be okay, please let her be okay . . .
"This is Dr. Dhupa. I'm afraid it's not good news. Maggie has acute metastatic . . . (no! no! please, no!) . . . liver, spleen, abdomen . . .I'm very sorry. "

All of a sudden I felt like I was in a tunnel . . .my hearing faded out . . .my eyes blurred. I used to work in clinical research . . .I knew exactly what the words "acute" and "metastatic" meant.

I asked, "I'm understanding you correctly that there is nothing we can do for her?"

"That is correct. I'm so sorry."

I asked Dr. Dhupa to hold on so I could call your Papa. I explained what the doctor had said and we agreed that it would be best to let you cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Neither of us wanted to see you be in pain.

I got back on the line with Dr. Dhupa and asked him to please not wake you up.

He was so kind and said, "Okay. You are doing the right thing. We'll take care of her and all the arrangements for you. I'm so sorry."

"Thank you for trying to help her. Could you please tell her that we love her?"

"I will, but I'm sure she knows that."

"Thank you."

click

I sat down, dumbfounded . . .and cried and cried. What just happened? How could this be? My Sweet Maggie, gone?

I went home and talked to your sister. I explained to her that you weren't going to be coming home. Instead, you were going to be with Grandpa G. in Heaven. I'm not sure she really understood. . . she went to the front door and looked outside and then the back door.

When your Papa came home, he had the blankets you were laying on in the car, along with your harness and lead. He had tears in his eyes. I started crying again. Your sister went to the door to look for you again, after sniffing the blankets.

I called your Auntie Sue, Auntie Nancy, Auntie Shari, Auntie Chrissie and Auntie Patty. Everyone was so very sad. Papa called Grandma and Grandpa A. They cried for you, too.

You were too young and taken from us too soon. But, I will cherish the seven and a half years we did have with you. You will always hold a very special place in our hearts. We will always love you, Sweet Maggie.

Until we meet again . . . .

Epilogue

We are adjusting to life without our Sweet Maggie. For seven and a half years she would send us off to work/school and greet us when we came home. She brought us so much joy, made us laugh, and comforted us when we needed it most. There was something about that girl . . .and she will remain in our hearts forever.