MAGGIE'S STORY

By Sherry Eitel of Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Houston (MSRH)

Five year old Maggie first came into the MSRH rescue family in 2002 after being adopted by a couple on Valentine's Day that year. After four years, they could no longer care for the strikingly beautiful dog with big black eyes that brimmed over with love and boundless enthusiasm. Upon an initial routine checkup, a large mass was found just below the elbow which was eventually found to be cancerous. It was determined that the right front leg would have to be amputated at the shoulder in order to save Maggie's life.

All went well, and Maggie made a remarkable recovery, surprising everyone. She made the adjustment to having only three legs much better than her foster mom did. She was independent! Maggie's prognosis was good, and by summer she was ready for adoption.

Who would want a dog with three legs? I thought. When Janet and Gary Griffith came to look at my fosters in hopes of adopting one, I showed them several but Janet smiled and asked, "Do you have any more?" As I descended the stairs carrying Maggie, Janet said "She's the one!" Janet took Maggie into her arms and it was love at first site. Gary was smitten too. Today, Maggie lives happily with her adopted family and continues to bless their hearts.

Saving one Schnauzer may not change the world but it will change the world for that one Schnauzer!

This year alone, MSRH has had several bone surgeries with pins/plates, a gallbladder removal, split diaphragm, a portal shunt, five puppy mill dogs with pneumonia, along with countless cases of heartworms, and funds are needed immediately to pay for medical services. MSRH is an all-volunteer, donation-sponsored 501 (3) c organization dedicated to the overwhelming task of saving the lives of abused, abandoned and unwanted Miniature Schnauzers who have lost their homes. Adoption fees run between $250 and $350, which rarely covers the cost of standard services like vetting, spaying/neutering, yearly shots, heartworm test and/or treatment, and teeth cleaning if needed.

An adoption application is required of all persons interested in adopting a dog from MSRH. Adoptive and Foster homes and families are screened to assure no animal is placed in an unsafe environment.

Visit our website at www.msrh.org for more information on adoption, fostering, or donating, and to view some of the available dogs. You can call Karen Gayeski-Coleman, President, at 832-277-4904 or Sherry Eitel, Vice President, at 281-358-7303.