Missy

11-14-1987 ~ 11-09-2004

Scott and I bought Missy 2 weeks before our wedding day. Scott was getting a haircut and I said I would go next door to the pet store to take a peek.  As a child I loved the movie the Wizard of Oz and always said that when I get married I’m going to get a “Toto” dog. I walked into that store and there she was, sitting in her cage looking so sad as to say “Buy me”. I took one look at those big eyes and knew she was “my girl”. When Scott walked in I think he knew what he was in for. One look at me and he knew I was hooked. I saw his smile and told the shop girl that we would take her home. 

Every day of Missy’s life was a special day to me. Here I was, a newlywed, starting a new life, in a new home with my new hubby and new puppy. Missy was extra special and each day we became bonded As the years came and went Missy was always there for me, she was there for me through the good and the bad. The time that really showed just how much a dog understands was when my dear father passed away. It seemed like Missy knew that Grandpa would no longer be coming over to scratch her ears, she loved it when he would sit on the couch with her and scratch those ears.

Missy was the best dog I had ever had. She was also the first dog that was all mine. At around the age of 6 it seemed like she  was beginning to have some medical problems. First she had surgery on her knees for Patella Luxation and then for a torn ligament in her leg, both of which healed. More time elapsed and we got the diagnosis that Missy had Irritable Bowel Syndrome which mandated that she be placed on the high fiber w/d prescription diet which I thanked God for. The diet really helped her and she never had any more IBS attacks.

Missy then had a stretch of relatively good health until during a regular senior check up her blood work and x-rays showed that she had a slightly enlarged heart and a tumor on her liver. Fortunately the biopsy on the tumor showed that it was benign. Follow up Doctors visits to check on her health and the tumor showed no change in size in the tumor. Then at age 13 Missy was diagnosed with diabetes. Her Dr. was, and always will be, a saint to me as  he provided the guidance I just followed his orders. Missy’s blood sugar was regulated beautifully and for almost 4 years of diabetes she did great. Her Dr. would talk to me about her age and he would  always tell me that we should look for quality and not quantity. I knew I would never let my sweet girl suffer since I loved her so much. I couldn’t bear see her ill. 

Missy’s Dr. was amazed at her strength and will to fight. Missy fought up to the day she passed away. On Monday of that week she just didn’t want to eat very much and on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, Missy wouldn’t eat and started having convulsions. She came out of every single convulsion as I held her and told her Missy I will let you go if you need to leave me, Mommy will set you free. She came out of the convulsions, but not mentally. Missy didn’t know anyone or anything.  It was the hardest thing in my life to watch my girl convulse and all I could do was to hold her and pray for her. 

In her last hours she wasn’t aware of anything and I don’t think was in any pain. Her Dr took x-rays and blood work and the answers were there. Missy’s little body was failing and there was nothing we could do. Her liver tumor grew so large that within  5 months it took over, causing it to push her little stomach upward to only showing on the x-ray the size of a silver dollar. Her blood work showed she was in liver and kidney failure and the toxins were causing her to convulse. Missy’s Dr. said he wished for a magic pill but there was nothing more that we could do for her but to let her go in dignity. I asked if I could bring her home for the night and he looked at me and said that he feared if she had more convulsions during the night she may not come out of them and it would be a hard way to let your girl go. So I decided to let her go with dignity. Her Dr. hugged me and said he knew how special Missy was to me and I made the best decision for my girl to not let her suffer any more. I stayed with Missy and held her tight and when her Dr. hugged me and said Missy is at peace I continued to hug her and talk to her for 30 minutes.

Even though I wanted to just stay with her and not leave her alone I knew she was going to the Rainbow Bridge where she can be healthy again and Grandpa could scratch her ears once again. I know Missy will wait until we all meet one day again and that will be forever never having to depart again .

I had Missy cremated and her ashes are here with me, I know she is here in spirit. I also wear an urn paw pendant with some of her ashes that is close to my heart every minute of each day. Missy’s death took a lot out of me and a lot away from me. For 17 years Missy was my girl and living without her is something that has been very difficult for me. I miss her each and every day of my life. Missy will be one special little girl that will be in my heart forever.

This is a song I dedicated to my Missy.

Our paths will cross one day again Maybe my heart will never mend But I‘m glad for all the good times Cause you’ve brought me so much sunshine And my love for you was so strong. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world  Wouldn’t have missed loving you girl You’ve made my whole life worth while, with your smile I wouldn’t trade one memory Cause you mean too much too me Even though I lost you girl I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. They say that all good things must end Love comes and goes just like the wind You’ve got your dreams to follow But if I had the chance tomorrow You know I’d do it all again.

Missy,

Thank you for letting me have 17 wonderful, unforgettable, years with you. 
You were, and still are, my one and only little girl forever & always.

Love and miss you xoxoxoxoxxox

Love, Mommy

Jan. 2005