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| Name: |
Maggie
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Age: |
Twelve years old
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| Gender: |
Female
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Kind: |
Abyssinian
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| Home: |
Prescott, Arizona
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Maggie,
actually Margaret Thatcher, came into our family the day that
Margaret Thatcher resigned. Although she was just a kitten, it was
apparent she not only had Mrs. Thatcher's hair color but also displayed
the same personality. She is an incessant talker, announcing loudly
anything new and exciting.
In 1999, Maggie proved her intelligence and love. I was experiencing
extreme fatigue and couldn't find the answer. Maggie decided to beat the
doctor to the diagnosis. Each night she would wake me many times by
vigorously washing my face and, occasionally, biting me on the nose. It
seemed she would wake me as soon as I would drop off to sleep. It
developed she was frantic because I wasn't breathing and wanted me to
respond. A sleep test showed that I had sleep apnea and stopped
breathing when going into deep sleep. She has relaxed now. The CPAP
breathing machine that I wear at night makes me breathe. Maggie intently
watches each night, as I put the mask on and turn on the machine. She
even checks the vent where the exhaled air is expelled. Then she settles
down for the night...and so do I!
As an older cat, Maggie has had to make some changes. She used to jump
from the floor to the top of a seven-foot door and sit there surveying
the room. Her knee had to be rebuilt due to the many descents from great
heights. Each day she takes Prednizone and unflavored Metamucil.
Otherwise, she's the same ole gal, and we love her.
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