It was such a hard thing to do, but Joe and I found another home for Maggie. It was something that we had talked about for a while. There were so many things that factored in, but the bottom line was that we were not providing what she needed. Being a boxer, she needed exercise, and lots of it. Since moving to the suburbs, we have a small yard with no fence. We were not walking her like we should, and that wasn't fair to her. She also realized that she wasn't getting the same attention that she used to before Jack came along. She never was aggressive at all toward him (not even a little), but she showed her frustration by peeing in the house pretty regularly, even if she had just been out. The type of carpet that we have doesn't show where it is wet, so Joe would have to get out the steam cleaner and clean a huge area of carpet just to make sure he got it all. Pee in the carpet and a soon to be crawling baby don't mix well.

I see so many things now that I could have done differently. I could have walked her more. I could have paid more attention to her. I am a little OCD by nature, so I was always trying to keep her from licking things, or getting close to Jack's toys. It is strange to think of how much I miss her now though.

Her new family is made up of a guy and his girlfriend and their two boxers. It broke both of our hearts to see her go. We cried before they got here, while they were here, and after they left. I am actually in tears as I write this. But I am so happy for her. They have a big yard and she now has two friends to play with. In a weeks time she won't even remember us, but I will always remember her. She is a sweet, happy-go-lucky dog who just needed more than we were giving. I know that as time goes on I will miss her less, but I miss her a lot right now.

Pictures of Maggie