MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
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Sunday, February 28, 2010

A Forever Home for Marky?

I was about to walk out of the door of Sheree's gift shop last week on South Padre Island when she asked, "Have you found a home for Marky yet?"

Surprised, I turned and looked at her. "How did you know about Marky?" I asked her. Sherry and I met here last year when Tom and I visited the island. She was a board member for the Laguna Madre Humane Society at the time. She and her husband also hosted a book signing for me at their store for Maggie the dog who changed my life.

"Your blog," she replied.

When I told her we hadn't yet, her next statement stop me in my tracks.

"I can take him. I'm kind of looking for another male dog since I lost mine last month. We can do a rescue to rescue transfer with Sam's rescue organization. I can foster him. And you know many of my fosters never end up leaving ..." Sam is Sheree's sister who has a rescue organization in Nevada. She and Sheree have worked for years fostering and placing animals.

"Do you mean foster him with an eye towards adopting him?"

"Yes," she nodded her head and smiled.

I couldn't believe my ears! I had been at Sheree's house last year and saw her fosters and how she cared for them. I knew her love for animals, especially dogs. Was I really hearing this? I couldn't think of a more dog-loving person for Marky to end up with."

I sent Sheree the BSPCA's contact information and went back into the store a few days later. Sheree has a lot on her plate right now. Her sister is staying with her while being treated for recently diagnosed breast cancer. Sheree is dealing with the fear and grief that comes with her sister's diagnosis. She is also dealing with the very recent loss of her beloved dog.

"Is this a good time for you to take this on?" I ask.

"Probably not," she admits. "But it's a good time for Marky."

Wow. That's why she'll be great. Sheree's plan is to pick Marky up in Brownsville after he is neutered on March 10 to bring him to her home for his recovery.

Sheree and BSPCA have not connected with each other yet. I am holding my breath and envisioning that this will work. Laura from BSPCA will let me know what happens with Marky, and promises to get him adopted at some point if Sheree finds she can't take him now.

And it's good-bye again. We leave the island tomorrow ... with both sadness and hope. I'd feel much better if Marky was in Sheree's home now, but I let go for now and hope, really hope ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Monday, February 22, 2010

Daddy, The World Will Miss You

I was so very sad to learn that Daddy, Cesar Milan's incredible pit bull, passed away on February 19, 2010. Daddy showed the world his gentle soul and offered his balanced energy to help The Dog Whisperer change the lives of so many dogs and their people for the better. Here is the link to his memoriam:

In Memoriam: Daddy the Pit Bull

The world will miss you, Daddy. My condolences to the Milan family. And thank you, Cesar and Daddy, for showing the world that it's not about the breed. What a wise, old soul Daddy was ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love



Website: www.dawnkairns.com
2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Dog Rescued Near Border is Adopt-a-Pet's Pet of the Day: Update on Marky

Marky, the dog we rescued near the US/Mexican border 2 and 1/2 weeks ago, did not make it to his scheduled vet appointment to be neutered or vaccinated on February 9 that I wrote about in my last update about him, unfortunately. Nor was his foster mom able to take him to PetSmart last Saturday for adoption exposure due to health issues she was having. I learned he could be in PetSmart without being neutered, but of course he had to have his rabies vaccination, which he did not.

Laura from the BSPCA gives me the phone number of 2 vets they work with to take Marky to for his rabies vaccine before he can enter PetSmart for possible adoption through BSPCA, and tells me they are open on Saturdays.

So last Saturday, Tom and I race for the second time to try to find the foster home in the country, about 40 minutes away from where we are staying. With more specific directions from a BSPCA board member, we find it this time. I can't reach the foster mom by phone as her cell number is disconnected. We can only park at the locked gate to their driveway and honk. No response. As we begin to drive away, a familiar white pick up truck comes up the street and pulls up to their gate. It's 2 of her teen kids. Thank Heavens! After explaining to the daughter that we are there to pick up Marky for the BSPCA to take him to PetSmart, she goes into the house to tell her mom. Several minutes later we see Marky trotting with the daughter towards the gate. It is really good to see him again.

Wow, he has changed already! His tail is up. He looks happy. He grew! And is filling out -- his ribs are less prominent. That makes me really happy! He clearly recognizes us and greets us with his chin licks, but is just as hesitant to get in the truck. Tom lifts him in to me.

I ask the daughter & son about his "aggression" with dogs.

"He's never attacked another dog, he just barks," says the boy. "And it's just with the male dogs."

I bet neutering will help that significantly! Now the 45 minute drive now to Brownsville to find the vet. Once again, Tom's GPS phone helps. We still get lost, and when we call at 12:05 p.m., the vet's receptionist tells us they closed at noon. I tell her Marky's story and what we are trying to do, and beg her to take us for his vaccination.

"The vet has already left," she says. We call the second number and get only an answering service. They were already closed. We are crushed to think Marky will miss a day of seeing potential adopters.

I call Sybil, another BSPCA board member, who is also on her way to PetSmart. Luckily, I get her, and luckily she has the phone number of 2 more potential vets. " We don't use them because they are too expensive," she warns us. Had we gotten in with one of the first 2 vets, the cost would have only been $10.00. We don't care -- we just want this first crucial stumbling block out of his way.

We dial the closest vet. It's 12:22 p.m. "We close to walk-ins at 12:30 p.m.," she tells me. Again, I tell her the story.

"Please, I beg you to see him! We are on our way & so close!" But the traffic is too much, and we are crawling, it seems.

We walk in their door at 12:30 p.m. He weighs 47.5 pounds. We pay the $35.00 for his rabies vaccine and are on our way to PetSmart, where we spent the next several hours with Marky before driving him back to his foster home in Bay View, Texas. What a sweet and precious little soul. So responsive & loving. Maybe next week end will be the one when Marky finds his forever home.

These are pictures of Marky in PetSmart that my husband took so BSPCA can place him on Petfinder.com and AdoptaPet.com. Here are the respective links to Marky's page on each of these sites:

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15760101

http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3466815.html

And I am just notified as I am writing this post that Adoptapet.com just made Marky their Pet of the Day! Thank you! Ironically, Adoptapet.com also posted my guest post about MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love today on their blog ... http://blog.adoptapet.com/maggie-the-dog-who-changed-my-life/

If you missed the first 2 posts about Marky, the dog we rescued in S. Texas, here are the links:

http://maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-rescued-near-border-gets-second.html


http://maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-rescued-near-border-gets-second_07.html

Please share and help Marky find his forever home!


Posted By:


Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

'A Personal Journey of Love and Friendship'


Review of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life in Dogs and Pups Magazine, New Delhi, India

by Adite Banerjie

I must confess I am a sucker for doggy stories. Be they movies like K-9, the Beethoven series or bestsellers like Marley and Me, I just can’t resist them. Being a pet parent I love to share stories and anecdotes, peeves and laughs with other pet parents. So when I came across Dawn Kairns’ book on the Internet, Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life, I knew I had to read it.

The book is all that it promises and more. At one level it’s a sweet and heartwarming story about Dawn and her beloved black Labrador, Maggie. While reading about the bond that the two share with each other, I could not but recall moments that I had experienced with my own Irish Setter, Baloo, who passed away a few months ago. The delightful little moments when you bask in the sheer joy of seeing life through the wondrous eyes of a pup. Or the heart-stopping moments when the pup has a mishap or an accident that could have been worse than they actually were! Or those telepathic moments when your dog actually seems to read your mind well before you have articulated the thought!

At another level, the book is about the spiritual connect that humans share with their pets. It’s almost as if our dogs were a special gift that were given to us to cherish and love, who support us emotionally and unstintingly through our difficult times. And yet, we do take our loyal buddies for granted.

Dawn also explores issues related to dog healthcare that almost always go unmentioned. The problem of misdiagnosis is huge but one that rarely gets addressed. As in Maggie’s case, a wrong diagnosis or a delayed one, can make the difference between life and death. Living with the fact that perhaps you could have saved your dog if it hadn’t been for a wrong diagnosis by the vet, is something that a lot of pet owners have to struggle with.

And finally, the book also throws light on dealing with the inevitable – death of your beloved pet. The trauma of seeing the life go out of the little bundle of energy and grief at the loss of a cherished pet are never easy to deal with. Even in death, our buddies teach us just how valuable life is and how to cope with grief.

The bond that you share with your dog is one of a kind. As Dawn writes: “Maggie’s life, illness and untimely death led me to more profoundly honor and nurture my inner world...she showed me my way home: to my heart, my intuition, and to a fuller self-love.” Dawn and Maggie’s personal journey of love and friendship is indeed a life-changing experience and resonates for many of us who have shared such a bond with our pets.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love


Website: www.dawnkairns.com
2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

'No one knows our animals like we do'

This wonderful review article by Jean Starr about my book, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love, appeared in the Northwest Indiana Times last Saturday, February 6, 2010. I want to share it with you:

'No one knows our animals like we do'

Northwest Indiana native authors book about her beloved Maggie

By Jean Starr - Times Correspondent | Posted: Sat., February 6, 2010 12:00 am
Maggie was Dawn Kairns' first dog. Like many middle-class children, she grew up with dogs -- her dad's Beagles and neighbor's German shepherd -- but Maggie came into the home of Kairns and her new husband at a time when his children were nearly grown.

The 37-year-old psychotherapist/nurse practitioner and her 42-year-old husband decided the only newborn they would have together at this stage in their lives would be a canine.

Into their Colorado home came Maggie, the Magster, a coal black fur ball that slowly began to change Kairns' life. Through changes quick and gradual -- becoming stepmom to three grown boys, making the decision to change careers -- Maggie was Kairns' light relief and unexpected support.

"The more I see Maggie as an intelligent, emotional being, and the deeper our bond becomes, the more she seems to manifest these qualities," Kairns writes.

After Maggie's bout with mast cell cancer at the age of 8, Kairns delves into research on canine nutrition and vaccine interactions. The information she finds propels her to make an appointment with a holistic veterinarian. He diagnoses Maggie with hypothyroidism and places her on medication, testing her thyroid levels on a regular basis.

When Maggie's thyroid test results seem off but her vet is not concerned, Kairns finds a different holistic veterinarian, who concurs with the first vet's opinion. She is told Maggie's lump is a symptom of a common ailment in older labs called laryngeal paralysis. But the lump and the results of her thyroid test nag at Kairns. Her dreams are filled with scenes of Maggie's death.

Six months later, Kairns learns Maggie has thyroid cancer, inoperable because it is embedded in and around the throat tissues and blood vessels. Maggie dies just weeks later. Through research, Kairns learns that, if diagnosed earlier, Maggie might have had a chance at survival.

If Kairns has learned anything from the experience, it is that she should have trusted her feelings that things weren't right with Maggie. "No one knows our animals like we do," she said. "(Veterinarians) have the medical knowledge but not the intuition about your dog."

"Hindsight is a cruel master, Kairns said. "In talking with other people, it's the theme."

Kairns didn't start out to write a book about Maggie, but was so distraught when Maggie died she started to keep a journal. "That was how I got through my days," she said.

Turning journal to book took several years, but Kairns wanted other people who have gone through something like she had to know they were not alone. She also wanted to share what she learned from Maggie -- that if you see dogs as intelligent, emotional, communicative beings, you're going to relate to them differently and form a special and deep relationship.

About the author

Dawn Kairns grew up in Northwest Indiana and graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville.

"Maggie: The Dog who Changed my Life" is the now Colorado resident's first book. A family practitioner turned writer, Kairns was a 2009 Indie Book Awards finalist and Dog Writers Association of America 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award finalist. Her book is available through Amazon.com and national bookstores.

To read the review article in The Times click this link:
http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/pets/article_7ef48344-10bf-5eff-9870-b0a7d7ae0675.html

Posted By:


Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Dog Rescued Near the Border Gets Second Chance: An Update

The Brownsville SPCA tells me that Markie will get vaccinated & neutered on Feb. 9. After that he will be able to start going to Petsmart with his foster mom and her other fosters dogs. Markie's exposure for adoption should begin next Saturday February 13 at the Brownsville Petsmart w/SPCA. Here's hoping! He is a little valentine -- he'd be a wonderful gift for someone to give themselves on Valentine's Day!

He has been a "little aggressive" with other dogs, the foster mom told Laura from BSPCA. The foster mom is not returning my calls, (must be too busy with her fosters) so my information comes indirectly via Laura from BSPCA. I saw no aggression with Maddie, our dog, but time will tell. I think he needs further adjustment and to unwind from the stress of being on the road. Remember when I told you he ducked as our truck approached, with a look of fear and submission on his face? I have since learned from a few people that some less than conscious individuals here in South Texas actually TRY to hit dogs on the road. I was dumbstruck when I heard that, and my heart aches for these innocent animals. I have also learned that MANY dogs get dumped down here. That is a heart breaker.

Unfortunately, Safe Harbor in Denver won't take him since he's a lab MIX... so I am hoping for a Texas adoption! I will keep you posted...

Posted By:
Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dog Rescued Near the Border Gets a Second Chance

On Sunday my husband, Tom, Maddie (our dog), and I decide to drive from South Padre Island to Boca Chica Beach, to where the Rio Grande River flows into the ocean. This is the river that separates Mexico and the United States. But we never get that far. Along the side of the deserted, empty road we see a coyote walking. And another one a few moments later ... or so we think. What we see next squeezed our heartstrings.

"Stop! It's a dog!" I say as his head suddenly turns to look right at us as he hears our truck approaching. His little body immediately crouches to the ground, the fear in his face palpable. The look on his precious face is heart-wrenching.

When Tom and I get out of our truck, the young dog runs the other direction. We squat low and I call to him in a high-pitched voice. "Come here, baby." He stops and looks at me, assessing.

"It's OK, Sweetie. Let us help you. Come on, Buddy." He starts his arc towards us with a few uncertain steps. Is that hopefulness I read in his face? Sadly, many dogs in this part of the country are meeting this fate of being dumped on a deserted road, I'm learning. "That's it, Honey, come on ..."

It doesn't take this emaciated little boy long to finish his approach. He looks straight into my eyes and begins licking my chin. It seems like his whole being is saying, "Thank you, oh, thank you! I have been alone and scared for so long ..." He looks to only be 7 or 8 months old. He smells horrible & is filthy. His ribs protrude. He is intact, which didn't surprise me.

Maddie hangs her head out the back window. He tries to reach her to sniff noses. Her lip curls ever so slightly, expressing her rank as the older dog & claiming her territory. We stop them from sniffing, although it's hard.

Our only choice is to put him on the floor of the front seat at my feet. We're concerned about what diseases he might have with Maddie in the back seat. His body totally stiffens as Tom helps him into the truck. This little boy really wants to get to Maddie, so this is challenging. I did T-touch with him and he relaxes, looking into my eyes. Tom and I both sense his extreme relief at no longer being on the run.

Now what? It's a Sunday. We're in an area we don't know. Lucky for new technology, though, as Tom's phone is a little computer, so we can look for animal shelters and vets to call. But nothing is open.

That's when I notice the red bug crawling on the pup's neck. I pick it out and flick it out the window. Then another ... and another. Oh my God, they are crawling all over him! Not living in a big flea area of the country, I don't know what they are at first -- then I strongly suspect fleas. I later learn I'm right.

I'm realizing our only option may be to get him groomed and treated for his fleas in case we need to keep him overnight and take him to the Laguna Madre shelter on Monday. Not a great option in a condo where the management company we are renting from is looking the other way so we can have our own dog and cat there.

Finally, I'm connected with Police Dispatch. At this point we have stopped on a dirt road to let the little guy out. Maddie is totally perplexed and wondering why this boy is on her leash while she is stuck in the car.

The officer tells me I can take him to the Brownsville Animal Shelter and place him inside the fence as they check every few hours for animals on the week end. I ask him questions re: treating the fleas at the shelter. He advises me that they do no medical intervention at the Brownsville shelter, and says he's dispatching an officer to come show us the way to the shelter.

"Is it a kill shelter?" I ask him.

"Yes, Ma'am, he admits.

That's not an option. He's a black dog, with a wound on his back, sores on his left leg which he is favoring, and full of fleas. "Thanks for your help, Sir. But there's no need to send anyone. I won't be taking him there."

That's when the thought of Petsmart jumps into my brain. Maybe we can get him groomed there! And rescue groups adopt their animals out through Petsmart on some week ends! We head towards Petsmart after locating it on Tom's GPS phone.

Maddie is none to pleased with this entire driving and rescue venture. After all, "what is this dog doing in the front seat while I'm in the back?" is exactly what her disgusted look says.

I charge into Petsmart while Tom waits outside with the pup. We luck out. Both PAWS and the Brownsville SPCA are adopting their animals out that day! Petsmart won't groom him without knowing his vaccination history. There is no vet there to give him a Rabies vaccination. A woman from PAWS tells me they can't take him. But she calls a groomer 2 miles away for us and tells him we are bringing the dog for grooming and a flea dip.

I speak with the SPCA folks about taking him. "We have no available foster homes," Sibyl says. But before I leave for the groomer, she relents & says they'll figure something out. God bless them!

As we walk into the groomer, the pup stiffens and won't walk in the door. I'm not sure this sweet pup has ever been inside of any building. I know he's frightened. They offer him water and food -- he touches none of it, that's how stressed he is. I hate leaving him there in a kennel, but they promise to groom him next. We are starving and go grab a quick bite to eat.

When we pick up our little boy he comes out smelling so much better, but not quite as sure about trusting us after his grooming ordeal. "It's as bad a case of the fleas as I've seen," says the girl who groomed him.

Back to Petsmart we go, and just in time. Tom names the little fellow "Markie" and we watch as a woman, Ethyl, an SPCA volunteer and her 2 teen children drive off with Markie in their truck to foster on their 14 acres in the country, along with their other foster dogs that didn't get adopted.

Our deal with BSPCA is that if "Markie" is not adopted by the time we leave Texas at the end of February, we'll transport him back to a CO rescue group to adopt out. Right now I'm in the process of talking with Safe Harbor Lab Rescue and hope they will take him in ...

Who saved who that day? Markie saved me as much as we saved him. It is in these moments that we become truly alive. Thank you, little friend.

Stay tuned to learn Markie's fate ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of
MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist