ASPCA Happy Tail

Maggie

Maggie May

It It was a lovely spring day in 2004 when Michelle Hammer of New York met a pooch named Maggie who would change her life forever. Michelle recently sent us a note to share the story of her four-legged survivor, who never gave up, even after enduring years of abuse and illness.

Maggie was an HLE rescue dog who appeared on an episode of Animal Precinct. She captured my heart from the second I saw her in Carl Schultz Park wearing an “Adopt Me!” jacket. She was a beautiful Cocker Spaniel who’d just had one eye removed and was deaf. I followed her back to the ASPCA that same day and brought her home, where she quickly won the heart of her new Pit Bull sister, Kelly.

Maggie in the Park

Maggie later became diabetic and went completely blind, but she stayed independent and never needed my help to get around, nor did she lose her Cocker stubbornness. So many times, she became so ill and was on the verge of death, but I could tell she was not ready to give up. This lasted for six years, and she would always bounce back within two weeks. Even her veterinarian started referring to her as the “Miracle Dog” to all of his clients. The vet was convinced she had lived the first six years of her life in an abusive situation. Now that she found her forever home, she was going to fight to keep it.

Although now gone, Maggie is a classic Happy Tail. The pure love she received and gave in return kept her alive for another six years, much longer than anyone predicted. Maggie was a miracle who touched every person and animal she met, and she loved life—one eye, deaf, diabetic and all.

To read more stories of furry fate, please visit our Happy Tails Archive .



Submit your ASPCA Happy Tail

Did you adopt your pet from the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City? To submit your ASPCA Happy Tail, please email us at happytails@aspca.org. If your story is chosen, it will be featured on our website and weekly newsletter. Please include:

  • Your full name and e-mail address.
  • Your story - please include the month and year you brought your animal companion home, how he/she has changed since then and some funny quirks about your pet's personality.
  • Up to three photos in JPG format.
  • Please write "Happy Tail" in the subject line.

Please note: The ASPCA reserves the right to publish any submissions, photos and text, and stories may be edited for space.

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