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Maggie's Vigil

Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, FL, United States) on 22 September 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

Watching the world go by from our 2nd story dining room window in GA, this is a five year old photo (taken 12/02) of our now sixteen year old golden retriever.

Her name is Maggie (short for Magnolia), and she is every bit a part of the VF family as any two-legged family member could ever be.

Ever since Maggie came to live with us during our Kentucky days, when she was a tiny puppy and we fed her puppy food mixed with oatmeal, not one day has passed that she has not been both source and object of great joy and love for the five member VF clan.

Maggie was "only" eleven in this photo and yet still quite vital. What a sweet, lovingly loyal spirit she has always had!

Over time, and especially in this last week, Maggie has come down with some very serious ailments -- congestive heart failure, badly arthritic hips, and probably renal or liver failure. She can't hold any food or water down and is having trouble walking out into the yard. Sadly, the veterinarian tells us our beloved Maggie has already outlived her normal life expectancy by several years. He said she has likely outlived all her litter mates and there isn't much that can be done to improve her condition. We may be near to having to make a decision for her that I do not want to make. But God willing, maybe not quite yet.

Whatever happens, this is a heartbreakingly bittersweet time for the entire VF family. We know we've been blessed to have had our Maggie with us for so long. But it's hard to imagine us being "us" without our Maggie bounding around, nuzzling, panting, and "shaking hands" so earnestly (her favorite and only trick).

Some of you have been aware of Maggie's struggle, and your prayers and good thoughts have been a great encouragement for me (and us). Thank you.

BTW, today I am giving Maggie her rightful place here. This is my image #100 and she's the queen of all my pix and of my heart. Posting her portrait in a characteristic pose, taken with my cheapie little 3 mp Kodak in 2002, I just wanted the Am3 community to see and "meet" our beautiful Maggie, from a time in her life when all was still good.

Something else. Even if it is not orthodox Christian theology, when Maggie's time comes -- today or whenever, I really like the notion that "all good dogs go to heaven." Maggie certainly has been among the very best.

UPDATE: Shortly after 10:00 am, EDT, our Maggie's struggle ended. This morning our girl just ran out of options. She began to be in pain and great discomfort. We knew it was time to call the vet, and he very kindly came to our home to help her go quietly and within her familiar surroundings. It is heartbreaking, and yet we know our Maggie is now free of her pain and infirmities. Thanks to all who have offered kind comments, thoughts and prayers.

vfxy Photoblogs | Cool Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (24)

tyan from Singapore, Singapore

i watched that movie All Dogs go to Heaven when iw as abt 9 years old.One of the first few movies i watched. Thanks for sharing with us abt Maggie,i think after spending such a long time with her,she certainly has become as dear as a family member can be and i am sure the pain is just as acute if she does leave one day.Please send a kiss to this beauty on my behalf,and many blessings...;)

22 Sep 2007 7:05am

@tyan: Thank you, sweet tyan. Your kindness helps lift my heart today.

Bron from Canberra, Australia

Thank you for introducing us to Maggie VF! She looks lovely! My thoughts are with you as she grows old and your memories sustain you all. She will certainly be in your hearts forever as are all our treasured pets. Bless you.
Bron

22 Sep 2007 8:44am

@Bron: Thank you Bron. You are very right, our beloved Maggie will remain in our hearts for ever. God wastes no amount of love, ever.

Barbara from United States

Thank you for sharing about Maggie. Her image and story is everlasting. I can understand your pain.
Maggie was blessed to be part of such a loving family as much as you were blessed by her prescence.
Blessings to your family.

22 Sep 2007 2:57pm

@Barbara: Thank you Barbara. Your kindness today is very much appreciated.

Francis (RS) from United States

:............... (

22 Sep 2007 3:51pm

@Francis (RS): :,,,o
Thank you, dear friend.

Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa

Oh VF, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Maggie - I know how hard it is to lose such a precious memebr of one's family. she is a truly beautiful creature and she was just as blessed as you were to have been part of your family. She made you happy for so many years and I know you will miss her deeply and will always have a special place in allof your hearts for her.

God Bless you and your family VF.
Mandy

22 Sep 2007 4:12pm

@Mandy Provan: Thank you Mandy, I appreciate your compassion. We are heartbroken, but somehow knew this day would come. Not one you ever welcome, but when our girl started really hurting today and seemed frightened and there really was nothing else to be done medically, we took that one last step together. Her loved ones were beside her at the end, and she was in her familiar place at home.

LuisRodrigues from Lisbon, Portugal

hehe...great photo...great catch!

22 Sep 2007 6:37pm

@LuisRodrigues: Thanks.

colin from United Kingdom

I am so sorry to hear about Maggie. I am sure she gave you great joy and happiness over the past 16 years and these memories are something that will time will never diminish or take away, a real living legacy for you and your family. We have a wee year old retreiver called Cagney who sadly has Renal disease and we have been told that she may only have a two or three year old life expectancy. However in the year we have had her she has brought so much Joy, so I am sure Maggie must have enriched your life so much.

22 Sep 2007 7:24pm

@colin: Thank you colin. I really appreciate your caring. I an sorry to hear that your Cagney has a disease that may shorten her life. If this is so, that love and joy she brings will be in a concentrated form that will leave all of your family forever blessed.

Robert B. from Here and There, United States

awwww ...very touching View ..... she was a great dog I am sure :) You have had a great deal of tramatic things happen in your life recently , glad to see you keep your spirits up as best you can .....

God Bless You and your family

22 Sep 2007 7:46pm

@Robert B.: Thank you Robert B. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. Trauma R Us, lately seems so. I'm hoping things get a lot less so in the weeks and months ahead. Dull and non-traumatic would be good.

bronzebilly u.k. from Barry,Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom

Sorry to read of your loss of the beautiful Magnolia--to lose the sixth member of the VF clan must be heartbreaking for the rest of you--but rest assured she was loved and respected in her long life,that's obvious..
So--no bad memories for her, or for you and yours,only happy memories to keep...
Billy

22 Sep 2007 10:19pm

@bronzebilly u.k.: Thank you Billy. It really helps to have a friend's encouragement at these kinds of times.

Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom

Dear VF, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved and steadfast dog Maggie. I can imagine how much you and your family will miss her as she is one who has been so very much part of you and yours for all this time. May you always find comfort in the many wonderful and precious memories of the full and happy life she lived as a member of your family and home for so many blessed years. At this time of sorrow, may I send our condolences, and much blessings from our household to yours. May our Lord’s presence be with you and yours now and always.

22 Sep 2007 10:49pm

@Rebecca: Thank you Rebecca. "Steadfast" is such a perfect description of Maggie's role in our family; she was unconditionally loving and loyal, always happy to be around us, and to play and receive attention, and provide companionship and love in return. Her memory is precious to us all.

Your friendship is a special blessing at times like this.

Amir from ?, United States

My condolences to you and your family for losing such a wonderful member. A year ago when we first decided to adopt a puppy, my greatest fear was to one day we have to depart. I know I know that departing with love ones is the story of our lives. In this mortal world we are one day on our way out. But we are brought to this world with the will of our parents and we had no say in that. I felt like to bring another being into our family would simply mean to start a count down to his/her departure.

I am happy that he was loved, lived a long life (90 years human life) and will be in peace forever. I hope you can overcome the sorrow but keep his memories in your heart for the rest of your life.

Picture is awesome, great work had been done.

22 Sep 2007 11:20pm

@Amir: Thank you Amir. I appreciate your words of compassion. It's hard to lose a pet who's been part of your family for as long as Maggie was. But we knew she had already outlived her normal breed's max age, so we felt blessed to have had her as long as we did. Many blessings, and I love your dog's photo at your site.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

Dear Am3 friends,
Your kind words and expressions of caring are a great comfort in difficult times like this. Our Maggie will be missed sorely by us, but the joyful memories she left will always remain in our hearts. I am sure those of you who have beloved pets can attest to how much, over time, they do fill a space of love in your life and heart. And when they are gone, how that space truly aches for them. But love is never wasted; of this I am sure. Love endures. Love of one another, love of pets like Maggie, because love is of God.

May you all be blessed in the upcoming week. I will be away for all next week, but will be making every effort to get online when I can. I've got some things queued up for each day I am gone, so there will still be a daily entry here.

Please drop in and leave a kind word; I'll do my best to visit y'all when I can. --VF.

23 Sep 2007 1:40am

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Oh Viewfinder, I am so sorry. A loved one is a loved one. Our furry children bring all the joy and laughter into our lives that anyone could hope for and with such unconditional love. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

23 Sep 2007 1:53am

@amy: Bless you amy, for caring and sharing in our family's deep sorrow today. I truly appreciate your friendship and understanding.

Rabbit from Richmond, United States

Awww - may Maggie always stay sweetly in your thoughts and keep you remembering all the fun times you had together. She knows shes loved and that is what really matters in life. Loving and being loved. (((hugs))) to you and Maggie may she feel better soon!

23 Sep 2007 3:35am

@Rabbit: Thank you Rabbit. You are very kind, truly. And your (((hugs))) are most appreciated. Sometimes when I'm wordy, I forget that not everyone reads my stuff down to the end. In the Update to my narrative, I reported we had to make the awful decision to help Maggie die; she was in much pain and discomfort, could not stand up, and was frightened by this development. Her congestive heart failure and kidney failure also accelerated. Our very caring vet came to our home to administer the necessary assistance so Maggie could die with minimal stress, surrounded by her family and in her familiar place. We are heartbroken.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Oh Vf, I know...my German Sheppard Benny got in the same situation, and he became paralyzed so I did what I had to do. That was 4 years ago, about a month ago, I had this incredible desire to see him, if only once more, it was a sudden yearning. That night I had a dream in which I was looking for Benny everywhere and suddenly elevator doors opened out of nowhere and Benny came out, I remember feeling this incredible joy that he was not lost, and I cuddled him and I sensed something and stopped talking and I clearly felt how happy he was and that he couldn't stay, and I remember how relieved and happy I felt and understood that I had to let him go and he went back in the elevator and the door closed. I woke up knowing without any doubt that I just had a visit from my woofer. There is a doggie heaven, blessings...

23 Sep 2007 5:48am

@Lorraine: Oh Lorraine, euthanasia seems like such an awful thing to have to do to "heal" or protect a beloved pet from suffering. I am sorry you also had to go through this, but am very glad for you that your desire to see Benny was met in such a beautiful and comforting way. Maybe in time I or one of my family members will have such a blessed vision of our dear Maggie. Right now it's just a bit raw and perhaps some time will need to pass first for healing of this pain. Our bedroom already seems so incomplete without her there in "person"...

jen from Alpharetta, United States

Oh VF I am so sorry...I know what it means to have a pet has a family member (I have two cats). Their unconditional love and affection is so wonderful it's hard to put in words.
Please take heart that yes she is painfree and I am sure in heaven wagging her tail at you and your family!
Thank you for sharing and bless you and your family.

23 Sep 2007 2:17pm

Lost Valley View from Kamloops, Canada

VF- first off I am deeply moved by your loss of your dear Maggie. Your hearts must ache and the sense of emptiness cannot be properly put into words. My thoughts are with all of you in your family at this time.

Her picture was beautiful that you posted. She had such a joy in her eyes!!Was this a fave spot of her's? Too sit by the window? She has the look of such a gentle soul who brought you so much happiness.

Our pets ( who are our family members) teach so much about ourselves and the world around us. They make us take the time to appreciate eachother and the time we have with one another.

23 Sep 2007 4:01pm

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

I'm so very sorry to here of the loss of your beloved Maggie, my condolences to you and your family.
God bless
Mary x

24 Sep 2007 2:08am

Manuela Photography from Hainburg, Germany

What a lovely dog!
All my condolences to all of you, just keep in mind all the beautiful moments you all had and what a wonderful life Maggie lived with all your love.
A few years ago, Onyx left a tremendous emptiness in our lives too.
http://manuela.aminus3.com/image/2006-09-04.html

24 Sep 2007 6:45am

Eleftheria, 9 years old, from Athens, Greece

But you love Maggie, so she still lives and will live forever inside your hearts....

24 Sep 2007 8:36pm

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

Jen, LVV, Mary, Manuela, and Eleftheria: Thank you, each of you, so very much. Our hearts are full at this time, and memories of our precious Maggie are so dear to us. In time the pain of her passing will ease, and we will miss her but no longer mourn as we do right now. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends as yourselves. Thank you.

25 Sep 2007 5:25pm

Markus from Reading, United Kingdom

My condolences to you and your family, I hope you can cope with your physical loss of such a beautiful friend! All the Best to you + your family + may she be in your hearts forever!

26 Sep 2007 7:40pm

Dawn Sutherland from Phoenix, United States

Mr. & Mrs. VF, I send my condolences. I too know what that pain feels like and if you have never loved a pet like that you never will know how deep that pain goes. See will still be in your hearts and you have lots of lovely memories to help through the rough times.

1 Oct 2007 11:18pm

Shannon Byous from United States

I love this picture of Maggie and I'm glad to have a glimpse of her. Thanks for sharing that picture. Very sorry for your loss.

19 Oct 2007 12:04am

@Shannon Byous: Thank you very much Shannon. Maggie was a beautiful dog both in appearance and in her personality; she was loyal and loving and a very gentle little soul with everyone. She was also very spirited and willful, in a positive way, which made her lots of fun during her younger more playful years. We are still missing our old girl a lot; but we have so many happy memories to draw from, and those are blessings.

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