Goodbye Our Precious Mika...

R.I.P. "Mika-Choo" (Tai's Little China Girl)
November 10, 2005 - Sept. 22, 2008

She was a wonderful puppy. A pup she was at only 2.75 years old.

An injury at the groomer (torn ACL) left her requiring surgery on her right hind leg. She had been recovering well and after approximately 4 weeks she somehow blew out the ACL on her left hind leg. Our vet told us that without having the surgery performed on the new tear, her first surgery would not recover. Unfortunately we are not able to afford the 2nd surgery at a cost of almost $4,000 per leg.

We were also told that Mika would develop hip problems in a few years due to the fact they did not grow in properly. She also may have a possible thyroid disorder. These, along with severe allergies which she was on steroids and antihistamines for, left our poor girl in a lot of pain and not enjoying life to its fullest. (There is more ailments to this story but I will keep it short).

She was having a lot of difficulty walking and clearly was in a lot of discomfort. It was like watching her walk on hot coals because she didn't know which back leg to stand on. This broke our hearts. We did everything we possibly could emotionally, physically and financially to keep our girl with us and keep her comfortable but unfortunately it just wasn't enough. It was her time, and after praying a lot about what to do, she left us peacefully on Monday September 22, 2008.

Scott and I both miss her beyond belief and I know I find myself tearing up every time I walk to the main floor and she is not there to greet me. I never thought it could be this hard. Writing in this Blog is therapy to an extent - to let out some emotion of how she touched our lives. She was a big part of our family and I talk to Roston about his puppy all the time. He knew when we were going home, we were "going home to see his Mika". It feels weird to just tell him we are "going home" now.

Time will heal and it will probably take a lot of it. She is missed so much and we can only hope that God has taken her into his care and she is among others who are happy frolicking in the grass and pain-free happiness in heaven.

We miss you Mika.

Love,
Dad, Mom & Roston
xoxoxo

Winter Fun!

The snow was so high in our backyard in the winter of 2008 that Scott had to shovel her a path to do her "business". She loved throwing herself into the sides and digging tunnels with her muzzle!! Then she would look back at the door to make sure someone was watching her....show-off!

So curious of this new being....

When we brought Roston home, she was so curious...always sniffing his feet and ending it off with a little lick, as to say "I approve".

Guarding Roston

She loved to be near when Roston came downstairs! He was her baby too....

In the Garden of Iroquois...

She loved going to visit Nana and Grandad's house in Iroquois - relaxing in their new garden, basking in the summer sun! This was her last trip there before her surgery.

Time to Relax!

She always liked to relax and guard the house. One of my favourite things about her was how she tucked her front paw underneath her, see? So cute!!

Hallowe'en 2007

Mika always just seems to fit right in when it is fall - all those beautiful fall colours match her perfectly! My gorgeous girl...

Mika Hair is Everywhere!!

Hair everywhere is an understatement - our girl never ceased to amaze me how much hair I could get out of her at ONE brushing. This is an example! Odd, perhaps? We're not sure - it was normal life for us!!!