WOW!…that is the first word that comes to my mind thinking that Maggie is 3
years post amputation for cancer. What a fighter you are Maggie!
Before amputation, Maggie was my first agility dog…
The Spring of 2009, she was retired from agility due to a nagging lameness issue
that took 4 vets to figure out the final diagnosis….
October 12, 2009: Maggie was seen by Dr. Chris Miles at Lucerne Vet Clinic
and was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma tumor on her left knee with a
high mitotic rate(Grade III). Specific STS undetermined after several stains.
October 20, 2009: Amputation was performed by Dr. Miles getting 10 cm. of
clear margins by amputating to the hip.
My treatment of choice for Maggie has been homeopathy with Dr. Charlie Loops.
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/ . He has had her casesince December 2009.
She is on three remedies: Carcinosin, Lapis and Semp T.
She is also on K9Immunity Plus, Canine Wellness Blend and Canine Joint Works blend.
This year, I have added CoQ10 and milk thistle to her supplements as she has
a slight heart murmur and milk thistle for her liver.
Maggie retired from agility in 2009 but she has still been in the competition ring
since amputation! Icing on the cake in my mind!
So far, she has earned her APDT Rally-O
titles of RL1, RL2, RL3, RLVX2 – with Awards of Excellence, I might add!
She has also been competing in a new venue called Wag It Games and is in the
Heart Dog Program, designed for disabled dogs, where she has earned the titles of
WAG1S & WAG2S Heart Dog, WAG1O & WAG2O Heart Dog, WAG1SNIFF Heart Dog!
But beyond the competing, of which she has not done a whole lot of,
Maggie has been hanging out being a “dog”…a great dog,
a great Tripawd dog!
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up” ~ Vince Lombardi
We go for short walks, of which she LOVES sniffing and meandering along..
I do have her work on balance domes/discs to keep her core strong – 3 times per
week, 5 minute sessions, of which she LOVES as she gets LOTS of treats for it 🙂
I am amazed at how much these sessions have helped with her stamina level.
So, all in all, life after four legs, has been good for Maggie so far! She’s had her
up’s and down’s – like slick surfaces scare her, so she needs help in those
situations or help getting into cars…but par for the course I guess!
We are so VERY happy Maggie is still here with us!
So, now for a huge celebration!
We went for a walk at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone, Maine, a couple hours from where we live.
Maggie ROCKED the walk – having the best time and showing how strong she is going up and down a few hills.
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
October 2012
And then a snack for her ampuversary!
Then did some playing around acting all crazy 🙂 I LOVE it when she acts like this!
It’s really kinda hard to believe that three years have zoomed by so fast.
One of the things I have learned through Maggie’s amputation
and living with an amputee, is that you take life one step at a time as best you can.
Stop and enjoy the moments, no
matter how ‘simple’ those moments may be…
taking a walk with your dog or just
just watching them sleep…makes me smile….
Here’s to you, Maggie! You’re a trooper my “pretty girl”!
Tracy