We got some good news from the vet! Last Thursday we took Maggie to the cardiologist for the ultrasound of her heart to see if it was indeed enlarged and if it posed any health risks for her. The doctor said that her heart is slightly enlarged for her size (they calculate a ratio between the heart size and spine length to come up with a number to compare to a "normal" range). He confirmed though that there is no heart murmur, that she has a normal heart rate, and the ultrasound showed perfectly normal heart function. So, our little Mags' heart is totally fine!

Maggie seems to be enjoying her visits to the Mutt Hutt (aka "school"). It's amazing some of the changes we've seen in her since she started. Maggie is really wound up when we pick her up at the end of the day. When we picked her up yesterday she actually jumped up on her hind legs a couple of times when she saw us waiting outside for her. She's exhibiting more normal dog-like behaviors, such as curiosity of her surroundings, and she really perks up and wags her tail a little when she sees other dogs or people approaching.

We're just taking her once a week, but it seems to be a really good experience for her to socialize and learn from other dogs. They have a webcam so we can periodically check in on her. In just 5 visits, she has gone from sitting in the corner watching the other dogs to walking around, sniffing and interacting with the other dogs. She's not exactly running around and playing, but it's definitely an improvement.

We went on the Chicago PAWS fund-raiser walk a couple of weeks ago at Montrose beach. There were thousands of people and dogs. A month before that, I don't think Maggie would have been able to handle it, but after a nervous start she was pretty chill with it. And it was cool how many other people - with their own dogs in hand - stopped us to ask us about Maggie and comment on how cute she is.

Maggie also has become a pro at coming over to the couch to visit with us and seems to enjoy sprawling out in her new den next to mom and dad (the first picture above).

Thank you, Grandma Lela!

This past weekend Steve and I went to KC to visit our good friends Todd & Marcy (and their wonderful children Jake & Alyssa). They were wonderful hosts and we had a great time. MANY THANKS to Grandma Lela who took great care of Miss Maggie while we were away.

Since Maggie's still learning how to be a normal dog we had some anxiety about leaving her. Would she refuse to go to the bathroom? Would she go on a hunger strike? Maggie had a few day visits with her Grandma to get used to her home, but we were still nervous. To help the visit go smoothly we created a "survival guide" for Grandma Lela to refer to during the weekend. I've pasted it in below so you can get a glimps of a day-in-the-life-of-Maggie (and us).

So no on has to ask . . . Yes, we missed Maggie terribly and phoned daily to check on her. As soon as our plane landed we raced from the airpot to pick her up. She didn't stand up and wag her tail when she saw us, but she seemed happy to see us in her own way.

Maggie: The Caretakers Survival Guide

SCHEDULE
Maggie’s M-F Schedule
A.M.: Wake-up; potty; eat breakfast; potty before we leave for work*
Daytime: At home alone with her treat-filled Kongs
5 P.M.- ish: Potty; dinner
Bedtime: Potty
*sometimes she doesn’t have to go again so soon. If she doesn’t go, she doesn’t go. If you can sneak home at lunch and give her another try great, but if not she’ll be fine.

Maggie’s Weekend Schedule
A.M.: Wake-up; potty; eat breakfast
12 P.M. - ish: Potty
5 P.M. - ish Potty; dinner
Bedtime: Potty


FOOD
- Maggie gets a leveled ¾ cup of dry food for breakfast and dinner (a total of 1 ½ cups per day). Place her food right in front of her. To help with trust we never make Maggie work for her food.
- While she’s never choked, we are always in the room with her when she eats (but don’t watch her - - she’ll give you a look letting you know she doesn’t like that!).

Water
- Maggie gets her water bowl 24/7 (even at bedtime). She likes it on the front corner of her bed (so it’s nearby, but not in her way).

Medicine
- Maggie gets one vitamin daily in her dinner. Just simply drop the vitamin on top of her food (no need to try to hide the pill). If you forget to add the pill, you can offer it to her from the palm of you hand. If you forget all together simply skip that day.

Treats
- Maggie gets her Kong treats once daily. On Saturday night she should get an extra special treat (after dinner, around 7 p.m.)
- The treats in the Kong are small enough for her to have while she’s alone and do not present a choking hazard. All other treats have to be supervised.

POTTY
- The potty phrase is “get busy.” Say it kindly, but firmly. Don’t baby her, and don’t let her mess around. Potty time is all business.
- She usually does #2 twice a day, but that’s just an average.
- If her stool is very soft or runny please cut out all treats and let us know. If this happens Mags will be very grateful if you can increase her turnouts.
- She can hold “it” for a very long period of time. Just be consistent with her turnouts. When she’s scared or nervous she shuts down, but she’ll go eventually.

LEASH
- When you put Maggie on the leash turn your back to her and say, “let’s go” kindly, but firmly. Even if she doesn’t move right away keep your back turned and keep saying “let’s go” - - it may take a minute, but she will follow.
- When your back is turned you can jiggle the leash to encourage her.
- Tug on the leash only as a last resort - - she gets scared and it sets her back.

GROOMING
- Maggie develops lots of eye boogers. If you wipe them away once a day that’s all she needs to prevent build-up. She really doesn’t like to have them wiped away, and will try to turn her head away.
- Maggie’s paws get wiped each time she comes in so she doesn’t track dirt all over the house. If you want to wipe her paws feel free to do so - - she is accustomed to this tradition.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
Cell #'s . . .
Vet . . .
Emergency Vet . . .