"Midget"

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
it comes from the love in my little dog's eyes.

Midget, as he was affectionately known, was a once in a lifetime friend. If you'd ever met him you know how he could jump into your heart and steal it away. He weighed less than 8 oz when he was born. I arrived home from work one day to find little a puppy, no bigger than a field mouse, pushed away from the others. He was very cold and lethargic. That was the day he jumped into my heart and buried himself deep. I took him out and placed him on a hot water bottle and put warm milk into his mouth. It was then that I noticed he had a very kinky tail (like a bull dog) and a lump on his back. Once Midget was warmed up and moving again I returned him to his mom and made sure he had his share at meal times. (Please click on any photo to see a larger version).

1-1/2 weeks of age

Although he was only a third of the size of the other puppies, he was no pushover. He was slower to develop than the others, his eyes opened a week later and he was slow to walk. While his litter mates played together, he rolled on his back and played with his own toes. As he started moving around more I noticed his one leg could move at some pretty awkward angles and if they other puppies knocked him over he couldn't get up. It didn't take him long to realize that if he did get knocked over someone would put him back on his feet or his very best doggie friend Dicer (my pug) would come and help him up. Midget had many obstacles to overcome but with his determination and will he made a big dent in them.
 

3 weeks of age and just trying to walk

3.5 weeks of age with his marrow bone

        
    
Photos of Midget and his brothers taken at 4 weeks of age

Midget was born with a heart murmur as well as severe spinal deformation. His vertebras were at all angles and were compressing his spinal cord. Unaware of his handicap, Midget would work livestock and play rough and tumble games with the other dogs. He loved obedience and would do anything to hear the words "good dog". Always eager to please, he would hand a paw to everyone who came into the house as if to say "hi, how are you."

  
Midget at 16 weeks

Five months of age,visiting the vet while the horses were being treated.

Twelve months of age with his buddies Ringo (cocker) and Dicer (pug). 

June 9th, 2002, 15 months of age

Life started getting tough on him in May of 2002. One back leg paralyzed and he was in extreme pain. What was I to do? Midget died quietly in my arms at the age of 15 months.

Midget, I'm sorry life had to end this way. You tried so hard never to let me see your pain. As you sat by my chair trying to sleep, the pain not allowing you to lie down, I could see your pain. When you saw me watching you, that wonderful smile came across your face as if to say, "I'm ok mom, I really am". You were a trooper. A one of a kind. I love you with all my heart. It's broken now and I'm not sure it will ever mend. I still wonder if I've done the right thing by easing your pain. You worked so hard to overcome what life gave you. You never gave up, and some times I feel that by forever easing your pain I gave up on you. Please understand that I didn't want you to live in the kind of pain you were in any more. You couldn't lower your head to eat or drink. And it hurt to lie down and sleep. Dicer made a wonderful pillow for you during these times. Now the pain is gone and you are free to play and jump and run without the pain. Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace.

Owned, loved and sadly missed by Georgena Graham

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