Relief for Mei, my bebs, my dear, my guardian and companion

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 13, 2021 1:22 am

So soon after Maximus, my cat, was ready to be put down, and now Mei Mei, my dear, my bebs, my guardian, my service dog, my companion and loving friend was ready to go.

My regular vet said due to COVID I'd just have to hand her off at the curb and not get to be with her, F that! So took her to my mom's vet, where she had put Max down and was able to be with him as he passed.

After being jabbed a few times in the hind leg without hitting the vein, the tech needed help holding Mei so she could work on finding the vein in her front leg. Mei had been comfortably lying on a towel on the ground, and the tech made us leave the room as she and the worker she called put in the catheter in a front leg. I had horrible visions of her being manhandled on her deathbed as we waited outside for what must have been over five minutes. Why couldn't they just find the darn vein?

But after entering the room again, she was calm and happy being hugged in the tech's arms and lap and obediently lay down again with some help. She had had nerve damage to her rear legs, tail, butt, and some of her lower back several years ago, but had recovered enough to run faster than me, bouncing off both back feet as one, though her tail was unfortunately paralyzed; I missed watching it wag and bounce. Recently her legs had quickly become undone and she no longer could do a 'sit' or 'down' for awhile. She had plenty of trouble laying down on her side to sleep, too. On the car ride over, I flipped her legs from out under her and she drowsed to the vibration of my SUV, peacefully finding a nap after a few weeks of not sleeping well, even with mild medication.

Dr. came in and he explained Mei would get an anesthetic shot, then the overdose of meds to stop her heart. I ruffled her head and gave her some scratches. In the car ride over, I couldn't kiss her dry nose, it felt too much like a betrayal type kiss, but I nommed her face with my lips and told her I loved her.

Vet injected the first chemical and she went to sleep, he injected the remaining chems and she was free. I sniffled and closed her eyes. Her last looks at me were loving and trusting, and I felt she was correct, she knew I was taking care of her, even though I felt like a scurvy rat.

The Dr. left us for some time to finish goodbyes, and my mom and I blew our noses and I almost yelled out as her body moved, a contraction from her abdomen to her chest like a deep, heavy breath.

I wonder if she got in the car and came home with us. I'd like her to haunt or be around for a few weeks, but I'm sure Max was there to greet her and help get her accustomed to wherever it is that immortal cat and dog souls go.

I never thought that picking up dog poop would be a privilege until she couldn't poop or pee on her own anymore a few years ago, and now I will go through a period of missing sticking my gloved finger up her pooper to scoop out the crap several times a day (my mom frequently did this too and it was such a blessing to have parents who let me have Mei and cared for her) and compressing her sides so she could get her pee expressed. Mei conducted herself with dignity, and always waited patiently as we serviced her.

A favorite memory was of a hike we did, I let her off leash and she disappeared into the scrub. I kept walking, and some time later she popped out of the underbrush with a small boar in her mouth, proud to show me her catch. I praised her for the hunt, made her drop it, and we ran out of there, not wanting to encounter a savage mother pig.

Damned if I get another dog.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 13, 2021 1:28 am

Proud of her.

Post by **Quercus** » Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:29 pm

Oh, I am so very sorry to read this. I remember when you had to say good-bye to Max and now Mei has gone to join him far too soon. You must be devastated. You wrote a beautiful tribute to your dear friend; I just love the story of her catching the baby boar and the two of you skedaddling before the angry mama figured out what was happening. You really gave Mei a wonderful life. Every dog should have such a devoted friend. Not many people would go to the extremes you did in caring for her; she was a very lucky girl.

It is so hard to say good-bye to them but you did everything right, ending her suffering when she was ready and staying with her until she left to join Max. God, I'm tearing up just reading about your last moments together. And definitely, no way would I have left one of my pets at the curb either. I've been through this so many times, with dogs and cats and it always hurts so much. It's like the heart just shatters from the pain.

I can understand why you never want to go through this pain again. It's really hard, it's just terribly hard. Even so, I hope some day a cold nose and wagging tail come into your life again. When you are ready. Dogs love so completely and bring such joy. It's a terrible price to pay at the end but I think it is worth it.

Again, I'm so sorry. I hope you are managing okay. RIP dear Mei.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:57 am

Our unit's floor is all bare. We had put tons of yoga mats and rugs everywhere cause Mei couldn't get traction.

Post by **e_poison** » Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:23 pm

Sorry to hear this man. My dog died a couple years back. She was a beautiful 12 year old rottweiler. My best friend and companion. She got really lethargic one day, refused to move or eat for a couple days, and I knew it was time. She died in the night before I could bring her to the vet to be put down.

That night, I laid on the couch with her and told her it was okay to go, that I loved her, and that she brought me happiness. She took her last breath and died in my arms around 6am. I was absolutely inconsolable for months. I still have nightmares about it and moments throughout the day where I get a little teary eyed thinking about it. I work from home so she was by my side 24/7 her entire life. Right after she passed, the absence of her presence was completely overwhelming.

Hope you feel better soon and start to heal. They really are our children to us and it's hard to let go.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:30 pm

Love Rotties. Did she have a docked tail? I think the tail conveys so much expression it should be left alone, lol, like with pitbulls' ears, though I do like dobies with clipped ears but intact tails.

Thanks for that.

Post by **instantKARMA** » Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:44 pm

My heart bleeds for you. I've lost three dogs in the past six years and
I still think about them everyday and miss them terribly so I know how
badly it hurts!

Post by **e_poison** » Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:56 pm

IndelibleDotInk wrote:Love Rotties. Did she have a docked tail? I think the tail conveys so much expression it should be left alone, lol, like with pitbulls' ears, though I do like dobies with clipped ears but intact tails.

Thanks for that.

She did have a docked tail, but it was docked as a pup before I got her. I loved watching that little stub wagging though.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:00 am

e_poison wrote:Sorry to hear this man. My dog died a couple years back. She was a beautiful 12 year old rottweiler. My best friend and companion. She got really lethargic one day, refused to move or eat for a couple days, and I knew it was time. She died in the night before I could bring her to the vet to be put down.

That night, I laid on the couch with her and told her it was okay to go, that I loved her, and that she brought me happiness. She took her last breath and died in my arms around 6am. I was absolutely inconsolable for months. I still have nightmares about it and moments throughout the day where I get a little teary eyed thinking about it. I work from home so she was by my side 24/7 her entire life. Right after she passed, the absence of her presence was completely overwhelming.

Hope you feel better soon and start to heal. They really are our children to us and it's hard to let go.

What a bittersweet blessing to have had her go in your arms, it was probably the sweetest hug she ever got and the one she will always think about when she daydreams, waiting for you to join her.

Once upon a time, before I knew much about serious dog nutrition, I fed her Nutro kibbles, and I thought it was normal for a dog to have a considerable amount of gas (using high quality dog chibbies like Orijen reduces poop volume and she hardly farted). I was watching tv in the living room and my dad fell asleep in his Lazy Boy and Mei fell asleep in hers, and they started releasing the most noxious gas simultaneously. Whole half of the house stank and I had to retreat to my room with a shut door. Her later farts were more easily contained by throwing a blanket over her rear end when she was on my bed.

Post by **ybanurse247** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:52 am

I’ve been thinking about you and Mei since your last post. I mentioned my Pomeranian Jack who recently turned 16 in December and I know he also will leave me soon. He is special in his own right of course but was a gift from my late husband who loved him to pieces too. It’s kind of a last living piece of my husband as well.

Although he seems to be in good health now, he definitely struggles on some days and the thought crosses my mind if today might be the last. Like others here, I’ve loved and lost pets over the course of my lifetime but feel in my soul that Jack might be the hardest to let go.

What a beautiful ending to Mei’s life...a peaceful and eternal sleep. I pray Jack has the same last moments. You did an incredible job of loving her through the easy times as well as the hard times and that is the purest love. I know she will always come back to you in your dreams.

Stories like this one give me hope that I’ll be brave enough to say goodbye to my fur friend too so thank you so much for sharing something so intimate. I believe our pets, in some way, are extensions of loved ones long gone, sent here to watch us and take care of us as they can no longer provide. Losing Jack will be like losing my husband all over again and just like that experience, I will heal with time but never forget.

Rest now sweet Mei...rest

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:41 am

crusin

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:43 am

who's my good girl?

Post by **Quercus** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:09 pm

What a sweet face that girl had! I love the one ear up, one ear down look, makes her look mischievous. These are great pictures of her.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:22 pm

Quercus wrote:What a sweet face that girl had! I love the one ear up, one ear down look, makes her look mischievous. These are great pictures of her.

Funny story - as a young dog she had one floppy ear which all of a sudden became erect one day. Then as an old dog, it got wilted again.

Older pic shows how it was when floppy. Notice, newer pic has erect left ear. Later it got floppy again due to a non-dangerous hematoma in her formerly floppy ear, a pocket of blood the vet said probably came from shaking her head too vigorously, and it was so heavy it made her ear flop again, and it stayed that way even when the blood was reabsorbed and her ear healed.

Post by **Love_Redz** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:39 pm

Dude I’m so sorry you had to let her go ,I lost my one and only girl like 12 years ago and I haven’t had the urge to get another mine was a mini Australian Sheppard , so I know how it feels I was crushed when her life was taken best wishes and positive vibes your way

Post by **MikeEdoessomething** » Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:08 am

Oh I'm so sorry. Reading this almost had me tearing up. I remember you posts about your cat just a few weeks ago. But it was beautiful, thank you for sharing. I'm dreading the day this happens with my dog, Roxy... I got her from a rescue shelter 9 years ago (she is about to turn 10). She's a lab mix (I think the mix is part greyhound). When I got her, I started having some health issues, and I went through a 2 year period when I was 27 and 28 years old where I spent most of that time home and with severe chronic fatigue, and she was always by my side and really helped keep me from becoming depressed.

When I was younger, our family dog died in my mother's arms, very similar to what you described. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for when this time comes but I know I'm gonna be a wreck. I have no idea how people can abuse dogs (or any animals).

I can't watch the movie Marley and Me but you're story reminded me of the scene at the end of that movie (curse that movie, probably the only time I've cried at the movies lol). Wishing you the best and thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful Mei

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:37 am

bringing up the rear near the reservoir

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:38 am

who has a huge pitbull chest?

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:39 am

what did everyone bring for snacks?

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:40 am

looking ahead

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:47 am

Lanikai Beach and pawprints in the sand.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:48 am

what's this swing doing on a hike?

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:49 am

You got us lost and you want me to smell the way out? (true story)

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:49 am

halloween costume! As usual, I am a cow.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:50 am

love me some scratches

Post by **herbalhippie** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:29 pm

Oh M, I am SO sorry! My heart breaks for you.

Post by **ybanurse247** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:36 pm

Really beautiful pictures of such an amazing life you gave her. Photos are awesome that way. I’m glad you took so many and can look back over her whole life. I miss the time of old fashioned film cameras, there’s something quite magical about flipping through actual 5x7 photos in your hand vs digitally on a phone. Maybe I’m just too fucking old LOL. Either way thanks for sharing them all

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:18 pm

I miss film and my Canon AE1, the darkroom, etc.

I posted this in the haiku thread:

My dog really stinks
Her butt releases bad gas
Time to take cover

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:50 pm

One more pic. This is Mei sniffing the Guinness Book of World Records largest loco moco ever! If you are part of the unfortunate minority who has never tried a Hawaiian loco moco, it's a bed of steamed rice with a hamburger patty on top, with fried eggs on top, all smothered in brown gravy. This loco moco kinda cheated, the hamburger is supposed to be a single patty, and they used scrambled eggs, but still. It's several tons and the gravy was added to individual servings, it went to a food bank to be given to the hungry.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:07 pm

Thank you for your support, it's helping me pull through, and for those who have lost their furry friends, I offer my condolences; animals are our family who can't talk with words, love with their hearts, and beat human companionship often.

Post by **e_poison** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:29 pm

Great pics, she is a beautiful dog. I bet our dogs would have been good buddies lol.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:03 pm

e_poison wrote:Great pics, she is a beautiful dog. I bet our dogs would have been good buddies lol.

Most def! Mei was very friendly until her last year, then she just wanted to smell stuff, would often sniff sniff sniiiiiiiffff some ants and sneeze.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:06 pm

One final pic, the politician, pressing the flesh and kissing babies during the Hawaii Kai parade.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:33 pm

ok, more pics, they're bringing back memories.

I'm the Target dog for a costume hike.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:35 pm

I heard there's a waterfall around here, let's keep walking.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:37 pm

who's a muddy hiker? My human, that's who. I sense Korean food for lunch, can I try kimchi again?!

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:40 pm

You're shaving your head fur for a good cause? It better be good, you're gonna look funny. I'm not shaving nothing. Look, I'm cute as all heck!

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:42 pm

Pali Lookout sure has some strong wind, and the rain isn't very fun. Plus you look fat.

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:43 pm

Love the car, love car rides, where are we goin?

Post by **IndelibleDotInk** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:44 pm

Life is merrier with a pitbull terrier!