Sunday, April 7, 2013

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.

18 comments:

Nicole said...

Julia, I am so sorry to hear about Maggie. Putting a pet to sleep is a very hard thing to do.

I hope that your hand and heart heal quickly.

Anita Rowe Stafford said...

I'm so sorry Julia. Please be comforted by knowing you did what was best for her.

cargillwitch said...

so very, very sorry for your loss and injury Julia.

Unknown said...

So very sorry. Hope ur hand heals and ur family recover. Losing a beloved pet is so hard. How is the other pup doing? Take care

slccom said...

I read that getting a pet is a contract with sorrow. May the happy memories soon make you smile instead of cry as you remember her love.

annie said...

Oh, what a heart-wrenching decision to have to make, but ultimately, you didin't want your little Maggie to suffer unbearably.
Hope you will recover physically and emotionally from all this at some point. Julia,how old was Maggie, and is this something all schnauzers can suffer from potentially?

Julia Oleinik said...

Thanks so much everyone! Your support and sympathy means a great deal to me.

annie - Maggie was only five. Our vet thinks that perhaps she had a brain tumor that may have caused this behavior, but we aren't sure. I don't think that it is something specific or more prominent in mini schnauzers, but am not certain about that. This behavior developed over the past two years, but only recently did she become aggressive when she seemed not to be able to recognize us as her family.

Tricia Bowman said...

I am so sorry Julia, that you had to go though this. I have experienced it with a cat, and it is so hard to make a decision, especially when physically they seem healthy. My vet was nice enough to write me a note saying that everyone there that day felt I had made the right decision. It helps to know that others feel you did the right thing. Maggie is not suffering any more which is a very good thing. But you are because you miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you, especially because I know you don't feel good right now.

Blogger Mama said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. :o( Loosing a pet is so hard. I hope you heal quickly, both physically and emotionally. Gentle hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. Such a difficult thing to deal with. You're in my prayers for healing - both physical and emotional.

Unknown said...

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I am glad you were able to put her to rest peacefully and surrounded by love.
I am praying your hand heals promptly and with ease.
Much love,
Erica

Miki said...

I am very sorry for your loss of one of your family members! It is very hard to let go of a pet! My thoughts and prayers are with you!! I hope your hand heals quickly as we'll!

Sue said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Amy Junod said...

I am so sorry to learn about Maggie. They become such a part of the family.
Jesus should keep an eye on his sandals.

Debbie said...

I am so sorry about the loss of your Maggie. Our pets are like family members & letting them go is not easy even though we know it's the "right" thing to do. Praying that your hand heals without further complications and praising God that you were able to respond under the circumstances.

Blessings,
Debbie

Heda said...

My thoughts are with you. She was a dear little dog and had a lovely life with you, John and Lulu.

ShEiLa said...

A tough decision indeed.

Poor hand.

I hope by now you are healing well... I am still nursing my leg from my fall in Indiana. ( 8 stitches ) Because the laceration was at my knee... Harder trying not to bend and reopen the wound.

I know the day will come for my four legged friend... Sad days!

ToOdLeS.

Jane said...

I'm so sorry - how heart-breaking! I cannot imagine how sad you must feel in having to make such a tough decision. Many blessings to you all!

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