FAREWELL MY MIZMO

Mizmo came to me in May-- a very neglected (long term neglect) senior Peke. 

We thought he looked like a little character.  💜  Those fangs!

Mizmo had almost no hair-- this was his shelter picture.  When they brought him to me, they didn't even carry him.  He smelled so bad-- and had such a look of defeat.

I picked him up and he had given up-- nothing was there.  He had no hope in his face or body.

But, we did all we could to help him. 

He began to have some hope.  He insisted on sleeping upstairs. 

He liked the other dogs-- except Paddington :-(.  They never got along.   So, we had different areas for each one.  They were both fine with any other dogs--just not each other.

Mizmo stole my heart-- and everyone else's heart, too. 

I love this picture of him.   His hair began to grow, but his skin never really healed.   We saw the dermatologist.  We did scrapings, we did biopsies.   I posted pictures of him, and everyone hoped he was getting better-- but in reality, nothing was working.

He would get in the laundry basket-- must have been full of familiar smells.   I had so much faith that he would be okay.

But, the longer I had him, the less faith I had.  The vets were running out of options. I can't tell you how many vet visits we had.  SO MANY.

I took him for another evaluation last week.  A week ago today-- I had a list of things we could do.  Yes, I was prepared.   I knew Mizmo's stance was changing-- but ....  His little mouth was shaking.  I realized he was in pain.   He was on special baths, special meds, special eye and ear drops.  His skin was still full of scabs and infection despite all we were doing.  We tried so much.   He would not let me touch his legs-- they hurt.  At the vet, she told me he was getting edema in his legs, a painful condition.  His skin was turning "alligator" again.  No!   As we talked, I knew we had done all we could.   As a foster mom, I hate to say that-- because I've had so many medical fosters, three IMHA dogs, and I hated the thought that I could not save Mizmo.  But, in fairness, I couldn't let him continue to suffer as he fought all that had happened to him.   If he had not been neglected so long, maybe we could have helped him.  But, his immune system just could not rally.  It just wasn't fair. 

Mizmo was part of my heart.  We knew it was time.  But, it was heartbreaking.  So, one of the vet techs made him a plate of her lasagna (he never had special treats because of allergies).  As he ate, he was given a sedation shot.   Then, he had MMs.  Oh, he ate those up.  The sedation began to relax him and I held him as he fell asleep.  He was resting peacefully as he left me.  I kissed his head-- still full of scabs, but it was okay.  I rubbed his body, told him I loved him, sobbed over him.  I'm so sorry I could not fix you, Mizmo.   You knew you were loved, I'm sure of it.  You were my little man for awhile here, and then I handed you over to God.  Now you can romp with Starlight, BeeBee, Nala, Pi, Leo, Cami Bear, Floyd-- all who have left our family in 2018 and 2019.  It's been too many.  But, all were loved, all were cherished, all were safe during their time with us.   Mizmo is now whole, his skin is healed, he can hear.   I love you, Mizmo.  I won't use your name again-- there will always be just one Mizmo.   My Mizmo.  Run free now, sweet man.   You took part of my heart when you left. ❤️