Special Needs Pet: Maggie

What is your pet's name?
Maggie

How old is your pet?
She will be 2 years old on Sept. 21st

Where did you get your pet?
She was born here at my home from a littler of pups. I have both parents.

What is your pet's physical challenge?
Maggie is blind. I think some days (rarely) she can see shapes. It scares her terribly on days like that and she doesn't leave my side. But most days she sees nothing.


What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Maggie's favorite thing to do is play in the water sprinkler when its hot. She also loves to cuddle and oh, belly rubs- can't forgot those.

What do you love most about your pet?
What I love about Maggie's is she is so sweet and ready to go and do anything with me despite her blindness. She's incredibly smart. She also gives the best kisses!


What has your pet most taught you?
I don't know if she has really taught me this but... Special needs dogs are just that, special. Everyone show open their home to a special dog. Her blindness has taught me to see things differently and how she adapts to things is amazing. She's always happy.


Anything else you'd like to share?

It took awhile to figure out that Maggie couldn't see. She was in a swarm of little black puppies. All rolling around and falling over etc. But it started to show when she would bump into the walls or fall in the food dishes as she got a little older.

I took her to the vet and they did a quick look and said "yup shes blind. Will you be putting her down?" NO! I WILL NOT!

My EX vet didn't even want to discuss what was wrong... They just dismissed her. ( I still do not know why shes blind, it really doesn't matter)

Maggie does perfectly well here with me and her parents and brother. She knows this house and yard, every inch of it. I keep the chairs pushed in and stuff out of the middle of the floor.... She has no problems. Her food and water are in the same place all the time, she goes right to it.

When we go outside she runs like the rest of the pack. Most people don't believe she is blind, and they wouldn't have known if I didn't tell them. If I think shes going to run into something I yell "CAREFUL" and she stops. "EASY" means slow down. I can direct her through the woods (we walk on the hill everyday) By telling her easy, over, wait for me etc.

If we are on a strange trail she stays next to me, Mica, Timber or One Ton.They all look out for her and will get between her and a bank or tree. Its truly amazing to watch those dogs watch out for her. 

We do have a few issues we had to work around... (its not all easy) I have to watch out in the yard when the dogs are running. The others will swerve around me but Maggie has ran me over a couple times (clipped my legs as she goes by) Down I go. Then she comes back and kisses me cause shes sorry.

I wrapped my clothes line posts in snow fence in case she hits them. Its not pretty but it keeps her from getting hurt too much. We still get bumps and bruises some days but as she ages it doesn't happen so much anymore.

She is slow to make up to strangers. She does best if they don't try to touch her right away. But if given time to listen to them and be around them soon shes laying on the ground belly up "Rub my belly!"

Maggie with mommy, Mica, daddy, one ton, and brother, Timber

 ***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***