Mik Got His Angel Wings Today, peaceful and dignified passing Options

[Nicole]

I discovered this site last October when my 21 year old kitty, Miss Mew, crossed over to the Bridge. Today, sadly, the second senior of our clan, our 14 year old Shepherd Mik has joined his step-sister. We are now left with 4 purr-paws, the eldest being approximately 8 years old, so hopefully the painful leave taking is over for a while.
I had been posting in the Disease Forum, describing the challenges of dealing with Degenerative Myelopathy, an unfortunately common disease afflicting mostly older Shepherds. In a nutshell DM is the canine equivalent of MS in humans. An auto-immune disease of the spinal chord that slowly paralyses the dog's hindquarters. There is no cure yet, but there are protocols that can slow down the progress. Two years ago we were told that we had perhaps 6 months before paralysis set in. Thus began our battle and we won a major victory, 18 more months of quality time. I welcome any owner of a Shepherd to contact me if you want to know more about the symptoms of DM as it is an insidious disease that is often mis-diagnosed as arthritis or hip dysplasia. Believe me the breeders of GS dogs do not care to discuss it. The earlier the protocols are started the better and many vets are not aware of the measures that can seriously extend the dog's life.
Although still not paralysed, Mik's mobility was seriously affected during the last 3 weeks and he had been incontinent for the last month. Poor baby just could not feel the urge to void. My husband and I did not make a big deal of it, just cleaned him and the mess up and soldiered on. Thank God for disposable incontinence pads. But in the last week Mik seemed weary of the whole process and that special spark was missing from his eyes.
Today at 3.20 pm, with the assistance of a wonderful vet that we had never met, the only one that would agree to come to our home because of Mik's physical challenges, our special pupster was deftly sedated and with absolutely no distress, was released from this earthly world. Tonight he is running on 4 legs again. Despite our remaining furbabies the house is eerily empty now. We did not choose to bury him here at Grand Lake ( we would have had to rent a backhoe as this is very rocky terrain) nor to have his ashes returned to us. As I told the vet when we made the appointment, his body is only a shell, the essence of Mik and his spirit or soul will always reside here and in our hearts.
Having called the vet last Friday and he could only come today, Wednesday, gave me so much time to enjoy him but to privately cry often. As well as conventional medicine we also used homeopathy to extend Mik's life. I had never used homeopathic remedies for myself until today. I used a Bach Flower Remedy called Rescue. I know this sounds very "new age" but it works, don't ask me how. Rescue is a mixture of 5 remedies- Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem- which together help deal with any emergency or stressful event. Safe for adults, children, babies, animals, even plants, it is not a drug, but is a remedy containing a positive natural energy. If you have an injured or fearful pet that you have to transport to the vet, you simply rub a few drops on their gums. For adult humans 4 drops under the tongue as needed. Don't get me wrong, this does not make the pain of grieving disappear, however it makes it bearable. It is a remedy that comforts and soothes. I have read many posts from members in such acute physical and emotional pain I just had to share my experience in the hope that it might help someone who feels caught in the quicksand of despair. After today my medicine cabinet willl never be without it. And if it is beneficial to any of you, please thank Mik, the most loving, intelligent, gracious and courageous Shepherd that we had the privilege of being owned by.
As I write this in my husband's home office, I look to the right at the loveseat where Mik spent so much time relaxing, looking out to the lake and I swear that I can see him lying there with a doggy grin on his face, saying " we did good Mom..."
Good night my sweet Mik, thank you so much for sharing your earthly existence with me, I so hope we meet again.
Nicole

[Kim R.]

Nicole,
I'm just devastated to hear that you are without your Mik tonight. I know what he meant to you and the lengths you went to to help him. You were very gracious in extending your support to me when I first posted here about my Sasha, and I was touched by your kind words. I had a hard time at first when I considered Sasha may have had DM, only because I found out that there really is no pain associated with it so I almost felt like I put her to sleep for nothing, but quickly came to realize that pain or no pain, she wasn't able to live the way I know she would have wanted. She could barely walk, or stand for very long. Eating or drinking was a chore for her because it was so difficult for her to stand at her bowls. I could see the confusion in her eyes when she would try to run with the other dogs, but would fall down on take off and then just sit there looking so pitiful....I'm brought to tears at this moment just thinking about it. It is a terrible disease that not only robs them of their physical strength, but of their spirit as well, and I'm glad you and I both loved our babies enough to let them fly before their spirits were ravaged. I hope they both run together now...faster and happier than ever . I'm crying so hard I can't see now, so I guess I'll wrap up for now.
You and your sweet Mik are in my prayers tonight.
Love,
Kim