Winter 2007: Marge loving the Michigan snow ~ Alix

August 2007: I am sad to tell you that Marge is entering the final stage of her life way too soon. A while ago, Marge was diagnosed with a ruptured disc. Her owners, Alix and Ron, decided to have the MRI done before surgery but then their vet found Marge has a heart murmur and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease of the heart muscle which causes her heart to enlarge and not function properly. Because her condition makes it unlikely she would survive surgery, medication was decided as the next best chance but being on five medications twice daily has affected her liver. She does not have much longer to live.

I visited Marge's home for a couple hours to say good-bye to this very special dog that we love so very much. Seeing her again was bittersweet because her disease has made her age so much and has sapped her energy and seeing this brave dog like this makes us very sad. Marge did not get up to see me when I came through the door because of her bad back, but as her owner and I talked, she did eventually come over to say her hello. As I sat with her I could not help but weep now and then. I tried not to make it any more difficult for Alix as is already is, but she said she understood how I felt.

Marge has truly lived a life from rags to riches. She had been found chained to a dog house and left to die. Animal control saved her but could only follow court orders to take her to a kill shelter with no hope for adoption. A rescue team took over her care, sent her to AAKS, where she at last went to a fine and loving home.

But nothing can make it seem fair that, after all this girl has been through, she now should have such a short time to enjoy a good life. The only consolation for me is knowing Marge finally new the love of a good owner. Marge has impacted our lives is a very special way, and I don't know if she even know it. She will be so missed. ~ Amy (AAKS)

July 2007: Marge and her mom and cat friend, “Gunther” (left).

October 2007: [Early this month], Marge developed a gastric problem due to all of the medications (especially the Prednisone) she was taking . . The vet had told us months ago that this would happen long term with the [medication] . . . she took a bad turn . . . she was in such pain and there was nothing we could do. We made the decision to bring her to the emergency clinic and have her put to sleep. It was not how we wanted Marge's last day to be, but I think only in the last two hours was she in agonizing pain. Still, it has broken our hearts. We could not wait longer though and keep her in pain.

We loved Marge so much. She was such a gift and we will never forget her sweetness and her eyes and the warmth of her fur. [The] last week, she had started talking to us when she wanted something (like her treats) and it was incredible as she had never done so. Every extra day we had with her was a gift. Thank you for everything you did to save Marge. We will always be grateful to you. ~ Alix and Ron

If you would like to read thoughts Alix and Ron have shared about Marge's life with them, please visit the Over the Rainbow pages.