St. Maggie

Dear St. Maggie was surrendered to Speaking of Dogs Rescue via a supporter named Morgan. She had been made aware of St. Maggie’s situation from a friend who informed Morgan that there were 2 dogs living without basic necessities; a Great Dane and a St. Bernard. Morgan investigated the alleged neglect and found that the two giant breed dogs indeed living in substandard conditions. Speaking to the owner, Morgan uncovered that he was going through tough times, both personally and financially. He wanted to surrender the dogs to rescue but did not know who to call. Morgan arranged for the Great Dane to go to Dane Rescue and Maggie would enter into Speaking of Dogs Rescue. Once in our foster program, St. Maggie was completely vetted including ex-rays and a geriatric blood profile. We were all very relieved when the results came back; blood was all within normal range and although ex-rays showed some dysplasia and arthritis, it was manageable with meds. She went to her foster parents Lou and Tammy and was pampered and catered to until her forever family came to continue the royal treatment. St Maggie has made it to Heaven…on earth, that is. As I waited on the front step of Cindy and Brian Anthony’s East York home, I realized that what I was hearing inside the door was a repeated entreaty to an unseen dog to ‘please move’ away from the door. As I eased my way in through a small gap in the door, all I could see was a mass of brown and white fur sprawled on the tile floor, filling the entire hallway. It was 125 pounds of pure St. Bernard and she managed to haul herself up to actually greet me, surrounded by her two new ‘sisters’ and one visiting ‘brother’. Cindy and Brian Anthony have been married for 28 years and have never been without a dog in their lives. Almost all of them have been rescues and have contributed many years of love, laughter and tears. After the passing of their rescue Greyhound in February, Brian started thinking of getting a St. Bernard. They took in Sissy, a rescued St Bernard, who had kidney disease and she passed away very shortly after adoption. Nothing daunted, they searched the website for another ‘Saint’, and Cindy found the Speaking of Dogs website. Lo and behold, there she was. St Maggie, a beautiful, dignified 10 year old St. Bernard looking for her last home. The Anthony’s interviewed with Lorraine Houston from Speaking of Dogs and a meeting was coordinated at the foster home where St Maggie was staying. Foster parents Lou and Tammy had become very attached to big Mags but when they saw Brian rolling around on the floor, rubbing the belly of the serene pile of fur they knew he was ‘the one’. It was agreed that a second meeting - which included the ‘gang’- was in order. Was St Maggie going to fit in with Gertrude, the pretty but suspicious 2 years old Border Collie/Lab mix, and with Fuzzy Pegs, the black 4 year old extrovert Newfoundlander? And there was Hector, the tiny 9 year old male Tibetan spaniel who visits with the Anthony’s son Andrew. St. Maggie and Lorraine arrived at the Anthony’s home for a home visit and was introduced to Gertrude and Fuzzy Pegs. Absolutely no problem for anyone, it seemed. A few sniffs and some jockeying for treats and beds and St Maggie was good to go. She moved in at the end of March 2008 and proceeded with ‘her Plan’. The Plan was simple. She had found her ‘man’ and Brian was it. Since her arrival, she has gladly allowed the family to feed her, walk her, and rub her belly but Brian always has to be in her eye line. If he is not to be seen, 125 pounds of dog goes rumbling through the house, searching for her love of life. Although Maggie has some miles on them legs of hers, she loves going for walks. She makes her way from house to house on the street, looking for her friends Cha Cha, the Shar Pei, Jake the Golden Retriever puppy and Charlotte the Wheaten. In the last six months with Cindy and Brian, she has developed into a relaxed, content member of this family, who has her humans perfectly trained. Every morning at 4:30am sharp, she barks once, loudly and firmly, for her Brian to come downstairs to rub her belly so she can get herself back to sleep. And he does. If Brian and Cindy show the slightest sign of planning an escape, such as going to dinner or to visit friends, St Maggie immediately sprawls herself splat on the hall floor, lying right up against the front door. No one is going to get by her and she is constantly surprised and most irritated to find that the Anthony’s have sneaked out the side door to avoid trying to oust her from her spot. Cindy and the family gave Brian a self-published book this year for his birthday – full of pictures of all his and the family dogs they have shared their lives with over the years. St Maggie is on the last page, with the following quote which is apropos when you watch her lying in ecstasy on the kitchen floor with her ‘man’ rubbing her furry belly. ‘Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job’ Speaking of Dogs Rescue has a special focus on senior dog who need rescue and when special angels like the Anthonys see the plight of the older dog in need it is always inspiring. These ‘Saints’ are hard to find, are desperately needed and hugely appreciated.. Speaking of Dogs is delighted to have the Anthony’s as part of their family, St Maggie has definitely found her Heaven on earth.