It’s hard to imagine that something as innocent as a kiss from your pet dog could lead to a life-altering medical emergency. But for one Ohio woman, that’s exactly what happened. A series of seemingly harmless events spiraled into a medical nightmare, resulting in the loss of all four of her limbs. Despite this, her story is one of incredible resilience and hope.
Credit: Fox8/Marie Trainer
A Warm Welcome Turns Into a Deadly Infection
In the spring of 2019, Marie Trainer returned from a tropical vacation, excited to be reunited with her German shepherd puppy. As most dog owners know, a pet’s enthusiastic greeting is filled with affection. Marie received several loving kisses from her puppy, but hidden in that heartwarming moment was a danger no one could have anticipated.
Marie had a small cut on her hand, caused by a hotel keycard during her vacation. It seemed like nothing at the time, just a minor wound. But within days, Marie’s health began to decline rapidly. What started as mild discomfort quickly escalated into a full-blown emergency.
The Mystery Illness Unfolds
Four days after her puppy’s kisses, Marie’s condition worsened. “I wasn’t feeling well and just got sicker and sicker,” she later recalled. Initially, her husband, Matt Trainer, thought she had the flu. However, as Marie’s symptoms intensified, he rushed her to the hospital.
Doctors soon discovered something far more sinister than the flu. Marie had contracted a rare and deadly bacteria known as capnocytophaga canimorsus, which is commonly found in the saliva of dogs and cats. This bacteria, while harmless to pets, can cause severe infections in humans, especially if it enters the bloodstream through an open wound—like Marie’s small cut.
A Fight for Survival
The bacterial infection triggered Marie’s immune system to go into overdrive, causing her body to form massive blood clots that cut off circulation to her limbs. The situation became so severe that Marie’s hands and feet began to turn black. “It was just rapidly progressing where her hands and feet were turning black,” explained Dr. Ajay Seth, the orthopedic surgeon who would later save her life.
Marie was placed into a medically induced coma for 10 days to stabilize her condition. When she woke up, her world had changed forever—her limbs were dying, and doctors had no choice but to amputate.
A Life-Saving but Difficult Operation
Initially, doctors planned to amputate all four of Marie’s limbs at the torso, which would have drastically reduced her mobility and quality of life. But Dr. Seth wasn’t ready to give up on saving as much of her limbs as possible. In a grueling seven-hour surgery, he worked tirelessly to remove over 40 blood clots, managing to preserve most of Marie’s arms.
Credit: Fox8/Marie Trainer
Though both of her legs had to be amputated above the knee, Dr. Seth’s efforts meant that Marie could eventually be fitted with prosthetics. Without this life-saving procedure, her chances of survival would have been slim.
The Road to Recovery: A Story of Resilience
Marie’s journey over the past five years has been nothing short of incredible. Her recovery process was lengthy and challenging, made even more difficult by the global pandemic. But through sheer determination, she regained much of her independence and ability to do things she once enjoyed.
Learning how to walk with prosthetics was one of the toughest challenges Marie faced. “It’s been challenging,” she admitted, “Learning how to walk was the hardest thing, but I’m good, I’m doing good.” Today, Marie has state-of-the-art prosthetic legs and hands that allow her to live a relatively normal life. Her advanced myoelectric prosthetic hands even give her the sensation of touch, something she never thought she’d experience again.
A Life Transformed with Prosthetics
Marie’s high-tech prosthetics have allowed her to return to activities she once loved, such as gardening, drawing, and even riding a trike. One of her most emotional moments came when she was first able to hold her husband’s hand again using her myoelectric prosthetics. “The first thing I did was hold Matt’s hand because I hadn’t done that in a while,” she said, tearing up.
Credit: GoFundMe
Her husband, Matt, has been by her side throughout the entire journey, and Marie credits him for much of her strength and perseverance. “I love him more and more every day,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without him.”
An Inspirational Story of Hope
Marie’s story has resonated far beyond her Ohio community. Her courage and resilience have inspired amputees across the globe, many of whom have reached out to her for support and guidance. Her remarkable progress is a testament to what can be achieved through determination and modern medical technology.
Despite the hardships, Marie remains positive. She’s even looking forward to dancing at her son’s wedding—something she once thought would be impossible. “She still persevered through,” Dr. Seth said. “And has just been running since then.”
A Sobering Reminder: The Hidden Dangers of Pet Saliva
Marie’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can come from something as seemingly harmless as a dog’s affectionate kiss. While the risk of contracting capnocytophaga canimorsus is rare, it’s a real threat, particularly for people with weakened immune systems or open wounds.
Doctors urge caution when interacting with pets, especially if you have any cuts or sores. Washing your hands after contact with pets can help reduce the risk of infection.
Conclusion: Triumph Over Tragedy
Marie Trainer’s story is one of both tragedy and triumph. She lost all four of her limbs due to a rare bacterial infection from her pet puppy’s saliva, but she gained something equally powerful—the ability to persevere through unimaginable challenges. Her resilience, combined with the support of her loved ones and the expertise of her medical team, has allowed her to reclaim her life.
Marie’s story is a reminder to cherish every moment and to take even the smallest health concerns seriously. Today, she continues to inspire others with her strength, proving that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope.
