10 years ago today I was waiting for the call from the surgeon to let me know that Maggie was alright. A week earlier my vet had looked at the lump in Mag’s knee and said the word…amputation.
Referrals, consultations, second opinions. Surgeons and oncologists. Input from family and friends. “It’s just a dog”, “It costs how much?!?”, “I wouldn’t do that to my dog”. Aspirations of tumor and lymph nodes, abdominal ultrasounds, bone marrow biopsy. Surgery? Radiation? Chemotherapy?
One of my clearest memories from the weeks after Maggie’s amputation was sitting on my back deck watching Mag. She was miserable and I was sure I had made a big mistake. There was on one for me to talk to (Jerry had is amputation a couple months after Mag) and the feelings of fear and uncertainty were almost unbearable.
Mag beat the odds, really she blew them away. Her 6 to 9 month prognosis was a distant memory when I finally ran across Tripawds three years after her surgery. I found an entire community of people who had gone through, or were going through what I had with Maggie. So many heartbreaking stories of battles lost, but just as many stories of strength, hope and resiliency.
I remember a conversation in the forums once about people feeling guilty because their pups beat the odds when so many did not. I never felt guilty about Mag, but thankful and grateful. I didn’t feel like I owed anything because of Mag’s longevity, but I felt like I needed to honor her- after all that stubborn little pug taught me so much about dealing with adversity and how to find something good in every bad situation. Lessons that I have used over and over in the years since she crossed the Bridge in 2010.
Whenever I read a post from a new member that says they are scared and worried because their dog is struggling after amputation I flash back to that September afternoon in 2006 when I was so scared, so sure I had made a mistake. I would have given almost anything to have someone to calm my fears, to assure me things would work out, to teach me how to Be. More.Dog.
So I’m still here, because of Maggie and the lessons she taught me. And because I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this alone.
And what would we do without you? 🙂
I’m so glad that you’re still here. It’s because of you, and others like you, that I had the support I needed with Murphy….and so I pay that forward, too.
Donna
You honor her many times over with the help and support you offer in her memory. She was an excellent tutor.
I am sorry it was such a lonely initial journey for you, but am grateful to benefit from the lessons you and sweet Maggie learned in that dark time and all the happy times that followed.
Love to angel Maggie and my thanks…
Lisa and Pofi
Thank you for all your wise words and your wisdom. You appreciate how important it is for others, how much comfort is taken from knowing you are not alone and that there is strength in numbers. Your continued support of so many members makes such a difference. So as one of those members who took hope and confidence from your comments I thank you and can only hope I can offer the same to others x
I can’t even imagine going through this journey alone, like you did. What a brave pioneer you were. Thank you for your knowledge and experience, and for sharing with us, to make our own journey a little less scary.
Paula and Nitro
Wow… a decade! We are so grateful you are here and continue to be here to help celebrate milestones, cheer for us, offer guidance and grieve when we say goodbye to a warrior. You were and have always been so amazing to me and through my journey with Shelby. And I am thankful that I am still able to be part of this community with little Jasper. She has big paws to fill for sure as her big angel sister was truly a hero.
I am like you … in why I stay … as hard as it is sometimes… because this community gave me SO much support (and still does) that I want to give back as much and for as long as I can.
Hugs!!!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)
So glad you stayed and spread the love. You’ve helped each and every one of us here many times over. Don’t know what we’d do without you! Mags was sure one tough little lady. What a Warrior! Hugs!
I remember when you first responded to me back in February 2013. I was PETRIFIED, HYSTERICALLY SO, thinking I had made a horrible decision by putting my Happy Hannah through amputation surgery. I only had to go six days on my own before I found this site and caring people like you.
I remember how reassuring it was to hear Stubborn Pug Maggie took six weeks before she got her sparkle back.
I remember LOVING reading about all the antics of Maggie as you weave them through your replies to anyone seeking first hand information. And I still get tickled reading about her.
I remember gping back and reading all about Maggie, her journey, seeing pictures and relishing in how loved and cared for she was. The stories of all her stubbornness…Love them!
I remember the COMPUTER and wonderful goody package you sent Happy Hannah!!
I remember feeling your kove and support when my Happy Hannah transitioned. I remember you listing all the things you would miss because I was basically feeling like I wouldn’t be on the site anymore. I remember all of the things you would never forget about Happy Hannah because I just was pleading to please not forget her!
You would never forget her videos that brought laughter to so many!
I remember you would miss my typos!! I stayed…And so did my typos!!
You are our historian! You are our rock! You are a source of so much information and support!
And Stubborn Pug Maggie gave us the gift of you!
THANK YOU MAGGIE!! You, and Tani too, will ALWAYS be remembered here with an appreciative heart and smiles 🙂
Love!
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
OH my DOG how could you EVER say you don’t write good prose? Karen, this made me all watery-eyed. Wow.
It’s unreal how fast time passes. Maggie’s been an angel HOW long?!
Never once does time slow down, not even in our grief, and that hurts at first. It’s not until later when you realize that by helping others, you’re stopping the passing of time when you share the many lessons learned from these remarkable animals.
There’s just no way to describe what you and Maggie and Tani, and now Elly and little Obie, have given to the Tripawds Community. Not just your time, but your emotions, your presence, your strong shoulders to lean on. That is SO powerful. THANK YOU so much.
xoxo
Rene, Jim, Wyatt Ray, Spirit Jerry & everyone who has ever been a part of the Tripawds Community.
xoxo
I can’t believe I missed this. You are a great person Karen. Its because of you, Shari, Shanna and all the others that I made it through my journey with Sassy.
I like you pay it forward so someone knows that it can be tough but we are here for everyone.
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy