“Out perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. “ – Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
Maggie taking in a campfire conversation. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Travels With Maggie
It’s raining outside this morning, which isn’t a bad thing if you’re hoping for a rainbow. And I am, in the form of a magic bullet to finally solve Maggie’s chronic cocker spaniel ear problem. It’s a last-resort solution for the canine companion who became a part of my life in 1999.
I rescued Maggie from an Ogden, Utah, animal shelter where she had ended up twice. The first time she had been found wandering the streets as a tiny, barely weaned puppy. It wasn’t known if she was dumped or if she had simply wandered away.
Sadly, her first adoptive family had teenage boys who abused her, and the mom in that family finally returned her to the shelter. She was skittish of humans, although clearly wanting their company, when I adopted her.
My then aged cocker spaniel, Peaches, was in need of a companion after my cat of 18 years died. Peaches died a few months later and Maggie then became my only pet. I thought of getting a doggie companion for her, since I was working long hours at the time, but Maggie communicated to me that she preferred being an only child
Companions -- Photo by Carol Landau
And yes, she really does communicate with me, more so than any animal I’ve ever owned. Of course it’s Maggie who owns me
For the past seven years, she and I have been 24-hour-a-day companions. We’ve both aged in those years. I’m not as spry and Maggie’s muzzle has become grizzled. But as a dog, she has a much shorter life expectancy, which is a cruel reality.
I fought her ear infections from the first, watching as they continued to get worse with every passing year. Tuesday night, however, was the first time I’ve seen her in extreme pain.
A deep sleeper who never even budges when I get up to go to the bathroom, Maggie was awake all night suffering and trying to get comfortable. I grieved because I couldn’t help her. And still am grieving because there might not be a solution to her pain.
When I went into the vet’s yesterday morning, I brought with me the box full of all the half-used prescriptions and over-the-counter remedies that not only hadn’t solved the problem, but which often made things worse.
The only sure solution, the vet said, was an expensive operation to remove all her ear canals, which I don’t feel is an option since Maggie is 14. Stymied herself, the vet called a specialist, who recommended a new drug that has proved somewhat successful in treating such difficult cases.
I pick it up today.
In the meantime, the vet gave Maggie a steroid shot to ease her swelling and pain, and I gave her a tiny bit of Pepto Bismol to counteract the diarrhea a steroid shot gives her. She’s had quite a few over the years and I know how she reacts.
The good news is that Maggie slept through the night. What follows now is simply hope this new drug is the rainbow after the storm that I desperately want it to be, and which Maggie’s life depends on it being.
Hoping with you that this new medicine does the trick. It’s so hard to see our beloved animal companions in pain, and to feel so helpless. Maggie is so lucky to have found you all those years ago. Let us know how things work out.
Oh, Pat. I have my dog, Cordelia, right beside me, her chin on my knee. My heart goes out to you and to Maggie. I am sending up a prayer that this new drug will work. Hang in there, my friend.
Thanks Len and Donna. We’ll take all the positive vibes coming our way with eagerness.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
We are traveling with a 14 year old terrier and I will pray for Maggie and you. Our two girls are so special and being with them at this time is a real lesson to us all. Blessings and light. Kristi
Prayers for Maggie and you of course. I feel like I know her too. 🙂
Both of my current Yorkies have chronic ear problems. Rosie’s were better for a time using something called Genesis. However, the growths in her ears have increased in size and she almost completely deaf. The vet attempted to remove them when she had knee surgery, but he did not even finish with one ear as she bled so much. Neither he nor I are anxious to attempt more surgery as she is 12 1/2 years old. Ignatius, the younger Yorkie, had surgery on both ears last year and it did wonders. One ear still bothers him occasionally (most likely allergies), but it is easy to get the medicine to the problem. The surgeries were expensive, but certainly worth it for Iggie. If Rosie gets to being uncomfortable and we can’t relieve it, I will have the vet attempt the surgery again.
Sending lots of prayers and healing energy your way for Maggie!
Good luck with this, hope it works.
Jim
Prayers for both you and Maggie. She’s such a sweetheart. I hope this drug proves to be the rainbow.
Pat
I will send warming energy for Maggie…My baby, a white German Shepard,is a ray of sunshine when I come home from work every night. I love her so much and like your Maggie we got her from the shelter. She has the run of the house and sometimes likes to lay on the bed with us ( covering the black blanket with her beautiful white hair) a for a little while before going back to the floor. I have had to treat her ears from time to time but not lately. My grandfather used to blow cigarette smoke in his dogs ears when they pained him….as a matter of fact he did the same for me when I had an earache,LOL. My prayers are with you and your sweet Maggie.
gypsy shivering in Iowa
Oh Pat, I know the pain of having a beloved animal companion who is suffering and having to make many hard decisions. I guess making them is the price we pay for being bathed in the unconditional love of these wonderful little animal souls, and having our lives enriched by them.
I will pray for the best possible outcome for you and Maggie.
Thanks Nancy Franke