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

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

Nicole,

First off I am very sorry for the loss of Mik.

I just want to say though, that you sound like a very compasionate person, and went to all measures to make sure Mik was taken care of and comfortable.

I hope you do help someone with your post. It sounds like you may have already. It never hurts to spread the word around.

My thoughts go out to you and your family.

Dear Nicole,

I remembered when you posted about Mik in the disease area. I've thought of you often and have wondered how Mik was doing. I'm so sorry to hear that he's lost his battle with DM. He was so courageous with this disease, as were you. I hope you will find comfort in the happy years you had with Mik, and in the fact that you gave him quality life after the diagnosis of DM.

I know first hand the grief you're suffering with right now. On May 30th I lost my kitty, Hobbie, to fatty liver syndrome...less than 9 months after losing Shiloh. I did everything I possibly could for Hobbie...right down to having a feeding tube put in...but it wasn't enough. I've found that the double grief thing is hard...I feel sad, and I'm not sure whether it's for Hobbie or for Shiloh...I guess it's for both of them.

You're in my thoughts.
Hugs,
Kathleen

Nicole - I am so sorry to hear about Mik's passing.. but at the same time I really admire your courage in helping him pass peacefully and with dignity. Big hugs to you.

I had read your posts about Mik and his progressive paralysis and had told my husband about him. We talked about him several times and we couldn't help but think about our wonderful GSD, Mocha, and just how difficult it would have been to watch her lose her mobility. We both wish you the very best and you're in our prayers.

--pags & family

Mik was very fortunate to have such a loving environment. Tonight we will light a candle for Mik's journey to te Bridge. Thank you for sharing his story with us.

Hello to everyone,
Kim, I truly believe that Sasha and Mik are finally running free again. Yes, DM is a terrible disease, but thankfully not painful for the dogs. You and I are so fortunate to have had them live to their life expectancy and then some. It breaks my heart to read stories about pets who were lost at such young ages, those are real tragedies.
Midwest, thank you for your kind words. The Bach Rescue Remedy has been so helpful. Although thoughts of Mik's last days are constantly with me, the pain is not the "just knifed or kicked in the gut " type if you know what I mean. The grief is not so overwhelming, I have better control and I can cry privately instead of breaking down in front of complete strangers or people who just would not understand.
Kathleen, yes the double grieving is difficult. Because of Mik's prognosis 2 years ago, we thought that Miss Mew would survive him although she was 21. I used to call her my " Eveready" kitty. I thought she was immortal. God had other plans and called her to Him first.
Pags, thank you so much for your prayers. I gave the vet who euthanized Mik the remaining meds and the Bottoms Up Leash that we had in the hope that another DM dog might benefit. That would be a wonderful tribute to the Mikster.
Ken, the candle was very appreciated. Others in the DM support group that I belonged to also lit candles on Wednesday. I was very comforted in visualizing a long beautifully lit path guiding Mik to the next stage of his life where we will join him at some point and experience new adventures together.
As I write this there is a dog lying at my feet. Her name is Jessie, a black border collie lab mix who I found abandoned 7 years ago in the village about 10 miles from where we live. No, she is not ours, but our neighbors who live in the city and come up here to Grand Lake on most weekends took her in. She just adored Mik and even in the latter stages of DM, Mik would rally when she came over and adopt the attitude and pose of the proud Shepherd that would have the ladies swooning at his feet. Jessie in turn, made allowances for his reduced mobility and continued to make him feel like TOPDOG. She is not looking sad nor did she look for Mik when she first came in. She seems more intent on consoling me, and her attitude of acceptance is inspiring.
Again, thank you all for your kindness.
Nicole