Madaline (Maddie) made it thru her surgery 10/11/10 just fine, I went to visit that evening and she was still sleeping. The surgery took almost 2.5 hours and they spayed her, removed all her mammary glands and all but one nipple. The incision is almost 4 inches wide and 3 feet long. She's currently in a compression wrap and heavily sedated but all looks well. The major concern now is keeping the incision clean, dry and infection free.
Tuesday the vet calls that she's refusing to eat so after work my neighbor and I hand fed her wet food, she seemed tired but was on pain medication so it was understandable.
Wednesday morning I was at the vet to feed her just after they opened. She raised her head and wagged as soon as she heard/saw me. She ate an entire can of dog food for me as I spoon fed her but the last 3-4 bites she was tired but she was holding her head up while laying on her side so I assumed it was tiring her neck to hold it that way. I visited a little while longer but had to leave for work. She seemed sleepy and I told her I'd be back that I loved her and I'd be back that afternoon... About 10AM we received a call that she had gone outside to potty but had extreme labored breathing and her incision was bleeding so the vet wanted to put in a vent... less than an hour later we get a call that Maddie had gone into cardiac arrest and had died. Everything points to a blood clot had dislodged and gone to her heart.
Maddie crossed the Rainbow Bridge 10/13/10 approximately 11AM
I normally don't get attached to fosters but with Madaline I fell head over heals in love at first sight! She was the kindest most gentle soul...She had been bred many times in her 3 years of life; someone had held her ear in pliers so hard it had scarred her ear to attempt to crop her ear at home but failed leaving two large scars; someone had shaved her dew claws off her front legs leaving more scars; she had mammary cysts in all but one nipple- one being the size of a plum the other the size of a grapefruit- apparently the plum size one had ruptured at some point and to care for her injury they must have sprayed her with "purple cow meds" that burns and stings because she was terrified of a squirt bottle. She loved and trusted me almost immediately. When I'd walk her a small American flag on a mailbox scared her so she immediately blocked my way with her body but froze until I reassured her she and I were ok. She did this with a realty for sale sign, the mailbox bank and a trash can too. Once reassured she would slowly climb up my leg and body to put her front feet on my shoulders and sniff my face and hair and gently place her chin on my shoulder- hugs fix everything right? She couldn't get comfortable with these masses so I slept in the floor with her at night so she wouldn't be scared and would calm down. We slept on a comforter pallet with her chin on my chest most of the night. I may have given her, her first bath Saturday afternoon but though scared she trusted me. She also found her reflection and admired herself in every mirror for the rest of the weekend. She also thought my chihuahuas were babies and kept rolling them over with her nose to wash their butts - they weren't pleased but let it go quickly.
She was beautiful, gentle and kind despite all she'd been thru prior to Adam and I driving to Calhoun Cty Animal Control to save her Saturday morning. She was polite and mannerly and quickly understood she was on the best vacation she'd ever imagined. Some people/animals come into your life to teach you something and then they are gone. Unfortunately she taught me very quickly and she was gone.
Mom wrote it nicely, "She came into your and our lives, gave joy, gentleness, unconditional love, and opened our hearts. Then when she filled those hearts with all the love she could give she left us better for knowing her although it was such a short time. I think she had a lesson to teach us – that even though at some time in her life she was mistreated and abused she still had the capacity to give and accept love and was willing to take a chance on finding the kind of love she was willing to give. When she found that love her mission was complete and she could find her rest and peace. What a wonderful and precious creature! I can only hope to be one/tenth the gentle soul she was and I will be a much better person.
I love you and am so proud of the dedication you have in finding these wonderful animals a good and caring home. You are such a special person and I am honored that you are my daughter."
I appreciate Mom believing in me but this time it was all heart and love for a beautiful Blue Great Dane.
I'm grateful I was able to give Maddie what I could in the time we had together and blessed for what she gave me BUT still I regret I couldn't do more for her...she deserved so much more!
Rest in peace sweet soul, I'll see you again.
UPDATE
The results from Maddie's cysts came back... She had two types if cancer, one VERY aggressive and there was a great deal of pressure within the cysts. Also the tissue surrounding the cysts was septic which indicated we were just too late. If we'd done the surgery or not she didn't have long.
I'm thankful we know now but regret she wasn't found earlier... I'm also thankful she was on medication to make the pain bareable or nonexistant in her last days. I'm thankful I got to see her hours before the blood clot caused her cardiac arrest and that she went quickly and painlessly. AND grateful Deerfoot Animal Clinic allowed me to hold her a little while to say good-bye.
I have so many dear friends, and fellow rescuers that have sent condolensces and kind words and appreciate that so much as well as the prayers for Maddie from the first request... Thank you so much!
