27 Jul 92 - 15 Apr 00
We were given Maggie when she was 9 months old. Her former owner couldn't keep her in her apartment. We had two other Shelties at the time, and a Beagle. Maggie adapted immediately to our household and won the other dogs over with her puppy antics.
Since she was not trained, I enrolled her in basic obedience (after she chewed our sofa and the inside of 14 pairs of shoes). She graduated first in her class. She went on to 2 more sets of classes where she also graduated first in her class. This was easy for Maggie since she loved to please.
Maggie became a registered Therapy Dog in 1995. This was the best program for her since she loved going for rides, got along with other dogs, and was so gentle with the patients. She was especially good with the elderly in nursing homes and she brought a smile to many a lonely soul. Maggie received many a special request from the family of a terminally ill patient. She gave comfort to both the family and the patient.
I remember one particular visit. There was an elderly lady who had not responded to her family for several days. When I put Maggie on the bed by her side, Maggie crawled up, ever so gently, and rested her head on the lady's chest. The lady opened her eyes, looked at Maggie and gave a gentle smile. The family couldn't believe what they saw. The lady passed away shortly after.
Maggie was a healthy Sheltie. At the young age of seven, she went into convulsions and after many trips to the vet and animal emergency clinic, she passed away in her sleep 6 days after she took ill. She was cremated wearing the red Therapy Dog shirt that I always wore when we did our visits.
She is greatly missed by my husband and I and our 3 other dogs, Cindy, Nikki and Zeus.