Remembering Meekaboo on Valentine's Day

Today I ran across a poem that made me think of you, Meekaboo, and miss you all over again. It brought back the pain of that sad day when we had to say goodbye and let you go. Now I'm crying like a baby all over again. I guess it's only been a year, so maybe it's not so unusual for the pain to be still close to the surface.

Maddy sure is working her magic to fill up that doggie place in our lives. Of course, no one will ever replace you and it's easy to see that. But what a blessing she has been and we thank you for helping us find her before you left.

You were my inspiration to pursue animal therapy and now after all this time, Maddy and I are almost there! I hope we'll make you proud when we finally pass our Delta test this spring. I'll never forget how happy you made people when we visited Grandma's nursing home. I can't wait to see the smiles when Maddy starts visiting at the hospital!

We love you and miss you and think of you often. Happy Hearts Day, sweet doggie girl!

She left us peacefully...

...and that made all the difference. We couldn't bear the thought of waiting too long and having her experience any pain and suffering. Meeka left her failing body at 9:17am, January 7, 2007, under the compassionate care of our vet and with both of us next to her stroking her head and telling her what a good girl she is.

Meeka's long battle with Cushing's Disease and congestive heart failure ended today. She was a fighter right to the end. For the four years she was with us, we never knew how much time we would have with her and so cherished every new day, every new season. We've got so many wonderful memories of her and loads of beautiful pictures of her.

We feel so blessed to have had her in our lives. We'll forever remember our Meekaboo-woo-wooooo!

Another obstacle

Last week my vet said I have "Cushing's Disease." I don't know what that means, but I do know that I'm very tired, I don't want to eat much anymore but I do drink a lot of water and I have to go outside to potty a lot more now. Mama had to take me to the vet to have my tummy looked at by an ultrasound. They put me on my back and even shaved my belly! Grrrr! Anyhow, that ultrasound showed that my liver and adrenal glands are very enlarged and damaged. (Like my heart problem wasn't enough?)

I haven't been eating hardly at all but I just can't stand the smell of kibble or canned dog food. Yuck! So I lost a lot of weight and Mama and my vet were kinda scared. They have me on a home-cooked diet now...all I know about that is that I get to eat people food! Woowooooo! Lots of rice and chicken, oatmeal and eggs, and all my medication comes wrapped in big yummy treats. Mama said I've gained back at least 4 pounds already and I'm feeling better. I even went on a hike in the woods last weekend.

Mama says if I'm feeling up to it we're going to try agility class this week. She used to do that with Bear a lot and he seemed to enjoy it. I guess I'll do just about anything for treats and I like to stay busy, so bring it on...! Woof!

A Home for Bear

Well, it's officially been a month since Bear went to his new home. You know, he was always a pain in the neck to me, literally, but he was still my adopted brother and we had fun together. I sure miss him. Right after he left I was depressed just like Mama and Daddy were, but all things heal with time.

It's for the best, and I'm trying to understand that. Mama and Daddy want to help foster kids and Bear just doesn't like kids, so he wouldn't have been happy here. His new home has two owners who take him for several walks a day and another older doggie brother for him to hassle...er...I mean, keep young. Plus, they go for long road trips in their motorhome a lot and I think they're on their way to Arizona right now. Too hot for me, but Bear will have fun I'm sure.

Another Day at the Beach

Woo woo wooooo! Mama and Daddy finally took me to the beach again! We went in our new truck and camper to an RV park in Ocean Shores. We spent all day Sunday playing on the beach.

Last time I was at the ocean I ran way too far down the beach chasing seagulls. Mama and Daddy had to hop in the car to catch up with me. So this time I didn't get to go off leash. But I still had fun digging in the sand and showing Bear how to wade into the waves...it was his first time at the beach.

Daddy must have liked digging in the sand, too, because he dug a big hole...and buried me in it! I posed long enough for Mama to take a picture and then shook sand all over Daddy. Woof!

A New Heart for Valentine's Day

Dear God,

I know you love me and you have a special purpose for my doggie life. My mama & daddy have been so happy since I came to live with them, so I think I was meant to bring joy to their lives. They sure have made me happy, I couldn't have asked for a better home.

But, God, I haven't been feeling well and my coughing is slowly getting worse. It makes me sad because I can't play as much. I know Mama & Daddy will love me anyway, but all I want is to please them and make them happy.

I heard about this special day that's coming up called Valentine's Day. I heard that it's all about hearts and happiness and love. Well, my heart is failing but I still want to make my mama & daddy happy by living with them forever. So I was wondering if you could give me a new heart for Valentine's Day.

If not, I'll try to understand because I know you love all of us and have special plans for everything. So if I have to pass on to the Rainbow Bridge, maybe you could send Mama & Daddy a special Valentine note from me every year forever so they know I'll always love them.

Hugs & Wet Nose Kisses,
Your Doggie-Daughter, Meeka

My Doggie Dreams for 2005

Today my brother, Bear, and I are being lazy around the office, playing on the computers with Mom and Dad. It's too icy to go anywhere. I figured I'd write my first diary entry while I wait for Mama to decide she's ready to take us in the house for lunch.

So far 2005 has been pretty uneventful for me. Mama has had a lot of work to do in the office and I can't really help her much, so you can usually find me sleeping on the job. I love Bear and everything but sometimes he doesn't know when to stop bugging me. Lately I haven't felt like playing as much as I used to so I'm kind of grumpy with him. I get anxious and excited really easy and that makes me cough. But Mama is always there to hold me & pet me until I calm down again.

My Doggie Dreams for 2005 are:

1. To see cousin Buddy again at Grandma's house and go swimming in his pond. I love it there so much!

2. To go on another trip with Mama & Daddy maybe to the ocean again. Mama wants me to promise to not run off a mile down the beach like I did last time. But those big white & grey birds are so fun to chase! And I guess Bear can come, too; he's never been to the beach before.

3. To have my heart problem go away so I can live to a ripe old age and not cough anymore.

4. If I can't have number 3, then I want to cherish every doggie minute of this year, so I can take the memories with me to heaven.

Woof! I better sign off for now. Mama's heading for the door and I'm hungry! Bark at ya later!