5/21/95-6/20/08

Once again, I have to write a post that I didn't really want to write, but that I need to write.

Last month, on May 21, our dog Maggie turned 13. Unfortunately, she was developing some really serious health problems - at her annual checkup in March, we saw some fatty tumors, including one on her hip that was fairly big, and awful arthritis throughout her bones.

We had been giving her several different types of medicine to combat the growth and the pain she was feeling whenever she would walk, get up or down, or deal with the stairs. At the end of May, though, her condition deteriorated rapidly - very quickly, she was barely able to rouse herself to a standing position, and the growth on her hip was compressing the nerves to the point that she could not put any weight on her back right leg - it would either hang in the air or be splayed out to the side or underneath her.

It quickly became very difficult for her to do anything - eating (which is very bad for a Lab), going outside, going for a walk, even going to the bathroom. She dropped weight very quickly - almost 7 pounds since May. It unfortunately became apparent what was going to happen very soon.

At about noon on Friday, June 20, Maggie passed away to doggie heaven. It's been difficult trying to explain it all to Alex, but I think he understands pretty well that Maggie is in a better place now and isn't coming back, and he misses her just like we all miss her.

Trying to "catch" a snowball this past winter.

Enjoying the snowfall in the front yard.

From Easter a few years ago, when trying to climb a fence.

Giving Sammie some sugar kisses...

I really hate these types of posts. Still, we're glad she's not in any more pain and that it was a rapid decline instead of a slower, more painful decline. She had 13 good years and 1 bad month, but we'll all remember the good years very fondly.

And we will miss her.