If it should be that I grow frail and weak
You will be sad I understand,
We have had so many happy years,
I know in time you will agree
Author Unknown
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
|
Misti
? - 10/2/2001
I got Misti on November 10, 1998 from a local Doberman Rescue Organization. She had been saved out of a local animal shelter. When I picked Misti up, I felt so sorry for her...she only weighed about 45 lbs and was skin over bones. You could see her whole skeleton. She was SOOOO sweet that you could not help but love her instantly. Initially I was told that Misti was about 1.5 years old. I now believe that Misti was a senior Dobe when I got her.
It took Misti several months to get her weight back on. Misti was finally feeling at home and had started barking (protective). When she started making messes in the backyard (tearing up paper moving my things around) I knew she felt totally at home. This is the Dobies that I know!!!
Misti was a blue and had classic CDA - no fur.... She had her thyroid tested and was put on thyroid medication; that did help some with her coat. Misti became good friends with Ashley as she did later with Cody and they spent lots of time playing. She loved playing chase with the other two other around the yard. At night she slept beside my bed completely covered with a blanket. Misti has brought such joy into my house - she was such a sweetheart. It's hard to imagine someone ever letting her go.
This year (2001) I came to believe that Misti was not as young as Rescue said she was because she began graying up a great deal on her muzzle and chin. I suspected she was more like 8 yrs old or so. On Sept 28, 01, Misti threw up her evening meal. She wouldn't eat at all on Sat morning so I started her on Amoxi. She went all weekend plus Monday morning without eating. She would drink water but about 10-15 min later throw it all back up. I took her into the vets late Monday morning and they kept her. Her temperature was sub-normal. They started her on IV fluids and did a total blood panel.
On Oct 2, 01, I got the results of the blood test. Seems that Misti has severe kidney failure - she is going into renel kidney failure. The toxins were building up in her system which is why she would not eat and kept throwing up - even on IV's at the vets. The vet gave her prognosis as very poor. I am so very happy that this last year she has come out of her shell and bonded with me even more. But that has also made my decision to send her to the Bridge even more painful. These last almost 3 years Misti has known lots of love, lots of treats, lots of attention and for that I am extremely happy as she did not have an easy life before that.
I went Tuesday afternoon and took Misti out of the vets to a small dog park near them. There were no dogs there at the time and Misti walked around, layed in the sun and came over to me for loves. I could tell by her walk that she was not feeling well. We spent about a hour there and then I took her back to the vets where she was PTS. The vet said he thought that Misti was well over 8 yrs old because this type of problem is only seen in very old dogs. Knowing this, I am so very happy that I took Misti and gave her a great 3 years.
Following are pictures of Misti as I like to remember her. She is shown in some of the pictures with Ashley, Cody and Tyler (now at the Bridge).
