November 9, 2010

Maguire is an adorable, petite, loves to give kisses, Golden mix with special needs.

Maguire was picked up in Iowa by an animal control office. It is believed that he was hit by a car. He has a broken pelvis, a fractured vertebrae and is incontinent. No one knows his history or what exactly happened to him, but his friendly personality touched the heart of the people at the animal control office and they went in search of a rescue to help him. They found RAGOM.

In loving arms, Maguire was transported from Iowa to a Twin Cities, Minnesota veterinary clinic (VCA Animal Care Hospital in Richfield). The staff at ACH expressed his bladder multiple times daily, cleaned up his fecal matter and raved about his sweet personality. He can walk and run on three of his four legs. He uses his fourth leg for some stability. We had hopes that as his body healed, he would get back his bathroom functions. A consult appointment was scheduled with Dr. Rasmussen (Veterinary Surgical Specialists). Sadly, it was determined that his nerve roots are severed in the fractured back area and it is unlikely that he will ever regain control of his bathroom abilities and will forever be urine and fecal incontinent.

We were then faced with what to do. Could we find an adoptive home for a fecal and urine incontinent dog? Unlikely to impossible. Is he in pain? We don’t think so. Is he happy? Definitely. He loves people, dogs and life. Do we have to euthanize him? Please, no.

We contacted our friends at Home For Life. Home For Life is a long-term animal sanctuary for dogs with special needs. You can read about them and see pictures of their dogs and facilities at their website: http://www.homeforlife.org/ I am thrilled to report that Home For Life has said “yes” to Maguire. He needed to be neutered to qualify for their program, and underwent surgery on Friday. His incision is healing very nicely.

Home For Life is in the process of building additional facilities and asked us if there was any possibility that Maguire could stay in RAGOM care for the short-term. The people in rescue are so amazing. Maguire has a guardian angel. A RAGOM volunteer stepped forward and invited Maguire into her home. He is now sporting diapers, living in a loving home, walking up and down stairs, and running on his three good legs around the backyard. He loves the people attention and playing with the dogs at the foster home. Maguire will stay at this home while waiting for an opening at Home For Life. While he remains in foster care, future updates will come from his temporary mom and dad so you can follow his story.

If you want to follow Maguire’s story for life, Home For Life has a wonderful sponsorship program. You can commit to a monthly sponsorship ($25 per month), and you will receive monthly updates and pictures. You can read more about Home For Life’s sponsorship program or sign up as a sponsor at http://www.homeforlife.org/sponsor.htm .

Maguire’s medical care has been expensive. If you wish to donate to RAGOM to help defray the medical costs, click here.