Maggie

This is such a hard post to write....

We had to put our dear Maggie doggie down yesterday. She has had neurological problems that escalated to aggression. She was having a hard time identifying us -- even me -- as someone that she knew and trusted, resulting in her biting me as I was holding her.

I muzzled her and isolated her from the other dogs as she was very agitated and disoriented, then drove myself into urgent care to receive care for my hand. Damage was considerable: four deep puncture wounds to the top of my hand and a larger laceration across my ring finger and knuckle. I was expecting to receive a stitch or two and a tetanus booster, but the advice from the doctor made sense: we would have to leave the wounds dressed but unstitched since I am immunocompromised due to the rituximab and prednisone. He prescribed antibiotics, dressed my wounds and splinted my hand, gave me sterile replacement bandages, and strict instructions to monitor my hand closely for infection.

I drove home in a daze, trying to decide how best to deal with Maggie. We have known for the past two years that she was having issues, and have spent literally thousands of dollars and endless hours with veterinarians.....and reluctantly realized with the advice and counseling from our breeder and vet that Maggie's quality of life was not good, and that she posed a real safety risk to us and our family and friends. And, we knew that we simply could not put our loved ones, especially my precious little great nephews, in any circumstance that may result in their injury.

So John held her and comforted her as she was put to sleep.

I'll miss you, sweet girl.