Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Maggie 5/01 - 10/08

Today, Saturday October 4th at 12:45 PM ET, my husband and I let Maggie our yellow lab go. Yesterday she wasn't eating and we decided to stop all medication, as she was truly stressed at us trying to get her to take the pills. We made arrangements with our vet that when we were ready she would come to our home. We spent Friday night with Maggie by our side. When the sun rose and with the birds singing we were outside where she laid in her favorite spot in the juniper. As the sun warmed her we knew the time had come. Our veterinarian and 2 of her colleagues came to our home just after 12, by this time we had moved Maggie into the kitchen, her other favorite spot. We all said a prayer and loved her one last time. I made sure she was wearing my favorite shade of lipstick as I kissed her on both cheeks. My husband held her and listened to her heart and she peacefully went to sleep. We gave her a Gerber Daisy as my husband often referred to her as his ‘Little Flower’. She will be cremated on Monday and will then be home with us forever. Warm Autumn sun, shine brightly here, Warm Autumn wind, blow softly here, Green sod around, lie light, lie light Sleep tight sweetheart Sleep tight, sleep tight. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, Maggie lost her battle, but the war still goes on and we must fight this disease and be strong. You gave me strength and hope. Karon

Karon SC

Karon, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your most beloved Maggie. Please accept my very deepest sympathies on your loss. When you feel up to it, could you please email me jdickson@cloudnet.com Since I would like to visit with you in private a bit. Once again, my deepest sympathies to you and your husband on your loss. Please be assured you both are in my thoughts and prayers during these most very difficult days.

Joanne MN

Karon, It sounds like Maggie had a peaceful, loving, and gentle goodbye. Our hearts ache for your loss. melissa and family

melissa slc

Karon, blessings and peace to you and your family as your hearts ache. You were all so blessed to share your love with Maggie as she gently went to wait for you at the Rainbow Bridge. Your devotion and passion for Maggie is so clear in your sweet farewell. Know that our hearts are with you as I write this through the tears and know too well the aching of your souls, but also the promise of happy memories to come. May God bless you and yours as you move forward and take the time you need to grieve Maggie's passing and loss, but heaven's gain. She has many new friends there now and is proudly pointing you out to them. Peace and comfort, sharon and angel Brandy

sharon pa

Karon, My heart aches for you and your husband over the loss of your dear sweet Maggie. You didn't want to see her suffer, so you made the best decision for her even though it meant parting with her. I know that there are no words to truly take away your sorrow and pain, but I would like to share something with you. One Sunday at church I was discussing dogs and heaven with a woman and she said, "Well, you know, Karen, that dogs don't have souls." This was as if to say that there wouldn't be dogs or any other animals in heaven. Of course, I disagreed with her. The next night I started thinking about what she had said. Suddenly God spoke to my heart and said, "Do angels have souls?" I had never even thought about such a thing. It was so clear to me that it was God's voice and that He was telling me there will be dogs in heaven. He created them, just as he created the angels, and I know that they will be there waiting to greet us. I guess those who aren't believers will think I'm out of mind. I don't always stop and listen for God to speak to my heart, but when I do and when He does speak it is always amazing. I am praying God will comfort you during this very difficult time. Karen

Karen NC

I am so very sorry that Maggie has gone to the Bridge. It is so painful to help our kids...I'm sure Stormie has said *hi* as well as many other pups gone on ahead. I KNOW that we will see our pups again! I KNOW it! I have been shown that as well...in a different way but it was so clear and I am so grateful that Stormie is in my future! Please take care of yourself...Maggie knew how much you all loved her. I am so sorry. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

Karon, I am so very sorry for your loss. Truly Maggie knows how much you love her and how blessed you all were to be with one another, even though our dogs time here is never long enough. May you and your husband both find peace and comfort in the coming days. With sympathy, -Ronda

Ronda So Cal

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hurt so hard for you. Please know that you and your family will be in our prayers. Maggie is pain free, smiling and playing as we speak! So so sorry - Liz and Mia

Liz TN

Karen & Family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this very hard time of letting Maggie go. I always believe that when they have had enough of taking pills and feeling bad they let you know and you certainly made sure that in her final momets she knew how much you loved her, your "little flower" is in heaven now and watching over you. Please take care, Linda

LInda Sapphire

Dear Karon -- I was so sorry to hear that Maggie lost her fight against IMHA. It sounds as if her passing was peaceful, and that during her last moments on this Earth, she was enveloped in the love from you and your husband that she had known all her life. I am glad that you could be with her when she passed, because that final time together will comfort you in the days ahead. Please know that you did all that you could for her and she knew that, and that when the time came, you had the strength to think of what was best for her, rather that for you. Please take care and know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your Maggie is happy and healthy now, and she waits for you.

Brenda VA

Oh Karon, I am so sorry that you lost Maggie.. I am sure you did the right thing at the right time.. I too had to make the decision just a month ago.. I still can't get over the loss of my beloved NANCY who was my SECOND 'AIHA' dog in 7 years... The tears come so easily.. We will say a prayer for your Maggie, hopefully she has found all the other AIHA babies and she will be waiting for you... If you are interested, you can see our Nancy's Memorial here: http://www.nancyfrankiejoey.com/NancysMemorial.html and our first dog's memorial here: http://pippymemorial.sitesled.com/ Tears and prayers.. AnnaMarie

AnnaMarie Illinois

Karon: I am so sad to hear of your loss of Maggie. Know that you did everything to help adn try to cure her and then gave her the most loving gift of all, to be able to stop her suffering. Again, I am very sorry fro your loss...<<hugs>>

Courtney SLO

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=6874427 A candle for Maggie has been lit...you may view it and add your own by clicking on the above link..

Courtney SLO

Please accept my deepest condolences in the loss of your beloved Maggie. In time I hope your tears will be replaced with the happy memoires you have of Maggie. May God give you the strength to get through this difficult time. With great sadness, Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karon, I was so sad to read about Maggie's passing. You were such a good Mom to her, and obviously wanted only the best for her. Sometimes the best means letting them go..... I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope that your heart will mend from this terrible pain. Jane

Jane MN

We collected Maggie's ashes on Friday. She is home with us now. We have always names our Labs after trees. We have a 'Willow'Tree, a 'Holly'tree and next Spring we will plant a 'Magnolia' tree. Always to be remembered and never forgotten. Thanks to everyone for your support. Karon

Karon SC

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but know that Maggie is up there right now with all the other little fellas and gals that have fallen to this dreaded disease.. running around, having the time of her life. I think the tree planting idea is an awesome idea!

Karon Myrtle Beach

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2008 and 15/10/2008

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