Miko has crossed the bridge

[Miko's Mom]

Miko has either crossed or is still crossing as of Monday 4/20 approximately 9:15 am. It was a shock when he lost all use of his right leg yesterday and then the left was going during the night. He was devastated to not be able to get out for potty in time. He had a difficult Friday evening and Saturday with panting and restlessness. His ACTH on Good Friday 4/10 was so good and so promising. This blindsided me. The Trilostane was helping the cushings. When I took him for acupuncture on Tuesday 4/14 the holistic vet said he was losing feeling in his legs from degenerative myelopathy. She said it wasn't painful and some day he just wouldn't be able to walk. What was so difficult was that when he was laying down he looked so content and with it. He was still eating and drinking and loving his cookies. But he did give me the look on Saturday and Sunday. And Sunday night he was so scared. Now he doesn't have to be scared anymore. I am heartbroken! This is the worst part and just have to be thankful for all the joy and fun he has given me for 12 years. It does bring me some comfort hoping I did everything I could do for him medically. Godspeed Miko, I love you. Christine

[gpgscott]

Christine,

I am sorry that Miko has lost his final battle in this world. We all know you cared deeply for him and that you did all you could do.

I am sure he is waiting for you with a big smile on his face on the other side of the bridge.

Scott

[BestBuddy]

Christine,
My heart and thoughts are with you. There really is only so much you can do then it's time to be strong and make the right decisions for Miko. I am wishing you peace with your decision.
Godspeed Miko.
Jenny

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

Christine,

I was saddened to read about your precious Miko. You have been a wonderful Mom to Miko and I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending loving, healing thoughts for you.

Peace, sweet Miko.

Louise

[k9diabetes]

Oh Christine,,, I'm so sorry. This is the thing we dreaded with our large dog - that he might be with us mentally but unable to walk. We had a brief taste of what that is like his last couple of days because he was too weak to get around on his own.

Bless you for setting aside your pain to do what was right for Miko.

My deepest sympathies,

Natalie

[Wylie's Mom]

I'm so sorry Christine. I know how much you loved Miko.

(((Hugs)))
Susy

[SachiMom]

Christine,
I am so sorry for your loss. You have the comfort of knowing that did everything you could for him, and then gave him the ultimate gift of sacrificing your pain for his needs. It is so hard to do the right thing, but you did it.
Godspeed Miko, run and play once again.
~ Mary Ann

[frijole]

Christine,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Miko is out of pain now and may the many memories of brighter days comfort you as you deal with your loss.

Hugs from me and mine,
Kim

[lulusmom]

Christine,

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Miko was quite the lucky guy to have such an incredibly loving Mom, a Mom that loved him enough to let him go. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Godspeed Sweet Miko.

Glynda

[Roxee's Dad]

Dear Christine,
I am so sorry for your great loss. I am sure Miko will be watching over you.
John (Roxee's Dad)

[k9diabetes]

Hi Christine,

I just wanted you to know that there is a gallery function under your profile where you can upload pictures of Miko directly from your computer if you would like and you can write captions for them as well.

I did not know Miko well and I sure would love to see a bigger picture of your beautiful angel.

Natalie

[Carol G]

Christine,

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.

Carol, Winnie (always), McGill & Atty Cat

[Rusty's Mom]

Dear Christine,

I know you did everything you could for Miko. It's not every dog who gets to go to acupuncture, too!

Just remember the pain we feel in our hearts as we remember our lost loved ones, is directly proportional to the love we have for them. Please let your fond memories and fun stories help you through the grieving process.

Blessings,

MJ

[Truffa's Mom]

Godspeed Miko. You will be terribly missed. Use your angel wings to soothe your mom's heart. We will have her in our heart and prayers.

Marcela & The Choco Labs

[ChristyA]

Christine,
I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of Miko help you through this hard time.
Christy

[Kwiggles]

Dear Christine,

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Miko. He was a very special boy and lucky to have such a loving mom as you. I hope that soon the sorrow you are feeling now will be replaced by happy memories.

{{{hugs}}}
from Karen & Joe

[haf549]

Christine:

When I read your email last night, it was very late and I don't think it full sunk in for me. When I went to bed I lay away for quite a while, thinking of Miko. I never knew him in the flesh, but over the last couple of weeks, I felt I got to know him through communicating with you. It just hit me last night that he is no longer with you.

I am really sorry for your loss. You did everything you could for him. How's Bucky taking it?

Heidi

[labblab]

Dear Christine,

I, too, am so sad to learn about your loss. I know how hard you worked to arrive at the best treatment strategy possible. It is a pleasure to know you, and an honor to have Miko amongst our family of beloved pups -- those who are still physically beside us, and those who have become our spirit companions.

I so wish that you could have had more time together. But you did the brave and kind thing on his behalf by releasing him when you did. I can only imagine how much you are missing him now, and for that I am so very sorry.

Many (((hugs))) to you, Christine, in loving memory of your sweet boy ~
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh Christine,

My heart is just breaking for you. When I signed on just now and scanned the thread titles, I saw "Miko", and thought 'well, good, Christine made it'...then the word "Bridge" hit home about 2 seconds later and the tears started. I read your posts just saying, 'no, no, no'....I am so, so sorry you had to go through this without being able to talk to us as usual. Even tho the words may not have been possible, you and Miko have been on the minds and in the hearts of many.

I know you are devastated, honey, and that mere words cannot take away your pain, but please know you did all you could for Miko. Your love for him has always been evident and that love allowed you to give him the greatest gift of all....freedom from a life of misery. Miko has nothing but love and gratitude for you and all you did for him.

You will find candles in honor of you and Miko at:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=ccnet

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Ruby, Goldie and Crystal

[bkdice]

Christine... I am so sorry for your loss of Miko. I know you've been through so much and I was just wondering yesterday if you'd found this site. I'm glad you did - but so sorry you had to bring such sad news. :( :( :(

My sincerest condolences....

Bettina & Niko

[maggiebeagle]

So sorry for your loss. No matter how much time we have with a loved one it is never long enough.
Virginia

[forscooter]

I too am so very very sorry. I wish I could say something to help you feel better....Lots of hugs...Beth and the crew

[eyelostit]

Christine,

I am so sorry for your loss.

[JHP]

Hi Christine,

I'm so very sorry to read about Miko crossed over to rainbow bridge.My thought are with you at this sad time.you where a brilliant mum
nothing i can say can make you feel any better as ive been there myself' so you are in my thoughts always.and miko will forever be in your heart


love
julie pip

[Miko's Mom]

I am here. I have been reading all your kind words and greatly appreciate the support, as well as, the candles. This is beautiful. I will post some pics and write more when I am strong enough and able. With much love and gratitude, Christine

[Margaret Boyle]

So very sorry to hear about Miko I dont really know you but my heart goes out to you I can feel your sorrow.
God Bless

[Harley PoMMom]

Christine:
I like this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
"True friends leave footprints in your heart."
These furbabies do find their way to ones heart and then become more than just ones pet.
They become the make-up of ones family and best friend.
My heart and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved Miko.

Harley and Lori

[Spiceysmum]

So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.

Linda and Spicey

[dees]

I am so sorry. Snickers and DeeS

[ladysmom06]

Dear Christine,

I am so very sorry for your loss of Miko. We're never prepared to let these precious pups go but when it happens so fast it's such a shock. There is nothing I can say to ease your pain and deep sense of loss but please know you are in my thoughts. My deepest sympathy. Hugs from my house to yours.

[MyGirlZoe]

Christine,

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Miko.

Run free sweet Miko.

Godspeed.

Jeannie and Zoe in NJ

[Miko's Mom]

Hi All, I'm still here. I have been checking posts but finding it hard to read when the pups are having problems, I just cry. Then I read stuff and start thinking maybe I should have tried that. I'm still coming to terms with doing all I could have done. It's just a little over two weeks since Miko passed so I am still crying everyday especially when I am driving home from work knowing he won't be there waiting for his 3 mile jog. I am still in shock that it all happened so quickly. But he was such a regal furbaby and I had to let him go with dignity. I once took him to a ritzy hotel on the Hudson. In the morning I was sitting with him in the lobby waiting for my friends and he sat there in his best bandana looking like a king. He was a classic. Still wanting to post some pics for ya'll but I just can't bear doing that yet. You are all in my heart and prayers and this "family" has been a God send. Christine

[Truffa's Mom]

Oh Christine I can't imagine the void that sweet Miko has left into your life. But I believe that the depth of our grieve can only be as immense as our love was for them.

Your love for him will get you through your pain, I will keep praying that little by little your tears will start forming a magical lake full of wonderful memories of your sweet boy that will help you mend your heart and will delineate a beautiful smile on your face. Please keep coming here, just come here and tell us what you need, tell us stories about your boy ; I really can picture him on a fancy lobby of a hotel, wearing his royal bandanna.... absolutely beautiful!!!!

You'll regain your strength, and all your "what ifs"will vanish in thin air. You always loved your baby and you always will. Everything you did was out of love for him. He is in peace now and frolicking around with a bunch of good friends and he will always be in your heart jogging and loving you back.

Take good care of yourself. Godspeed sweet Miko

Marcela & The Choco Labs

[Squirt's Mom]

Dear Christine,

Marcela has said it all so beautifully. We are with you, Christine, and will be glad to hear from you at any time. If you aren't able to post, that is just fine. But remember you are still not alone.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

The Journey
by Crystal Ward Kent

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.

If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot pursuit - all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.

And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down.

And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken.

But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more.

"Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

[Miko's Mom]

OMG! Marcela and Leslie that was just so beautiful. This morning I read all that and cried. This afternoon I read it again and smiled, and then I made an album for ya'll to see my sweet boy. I hope I did the album correctly and you can view it. My neighbor superimposed the Rainbow Bridge over one of the pics of Miko and I got that into a frame today. Christine

[Roxee's Dad]

Leslie,
That was truley beautiful and inspiring.

Christine - Just viewed your pics and he and they were beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

John (Roxee's Dad)

[haf549]

Christine:

The pictures are wonderful. Ar the 2 black labs Bucky and Annie?

Heidi

[lucygoo]

Just wanted to thank you for posting those wonderful pictures. Your Miko was beautiful. I'm so very sorry for your loss...

Gina and Lucy

[Truffa's Mom]

Christine, Thank you for the pictures, very sweet ALL of them. Glad your friend did that for you.

Big hugs to you.

Marcela & The Choco Labs

[Miko's Mom]

Thank you for viewing my pics. The other two are Bucky and Annie and are still with me. Bucky is a 5 year old black lab and Annie is a mix of golden retriever mom and a black lab dad. She is 3. Bucky is pretty hyper as you can see from the pic of all three of them. He has gotten even more hyper and nervous like since Miko passed away, and even has had the runs. Annie on the other hand has gone in the opposite direction. She has gotten so down in the dumps. She is alpha and maybe feels she lost her charge. She lays by Miko's grave when I am outside doing yard work. I had to give Miko Missing Link after our lab Tyrone passed because Miko didn't want to eat. They all grieve right along with us. They feel our pain. Thanks again, Christine

[Truffa's Mom]

You could give Buckie and Annie (and even you could take it) Rescue Remedy from Bach (http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htm)
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/product_detail.aspx?item_cd=238000&click=5&9gtype=search&9gkw=rescue%20remedy%20bach&9gad=1390823463&s_kwcid=rescue%20remedy%20bach|1390823463&gclid=CL22iv3GsJoCFR0SagodYHQXcw.

It helps in a lot of situations, but my mom has used on her dogs, she usually has 7 (doesn't live in USA obviously) when they are upset about the loss of someone in the family or simply when they have to go to the vet, and works great.

Marcela & The Choco Labs

[fivebichons]

Dear Christine,

Please forgive me for taking so long to check into cc again. I am so terribly sorry for your loss of dear sweet Miko. Every time I check in, my heart just breaks because I know there is another family member that has gone to Doggy Heaven. My heart knows they are romping up there without us, but that just doesn't make it easier for those of us left behind.

God bless you,
Heidi, Robin, Marco & Sophie,
...Friskie, Lucky, Cheri and Snicky from Heaven...

P.S.
I always order from onlynaturalpets as well, but I found some things at a great price as well from....(Simon & Loulou's Playhouse)..Sophie is scared of thunderstorms (please keep in mind not to mix anything with prescriptions...ask your veterinarian!!!)http://stores.homestead.com/hstrial-VNixon/-strse-18/Bach-Rescue%C2%AE-Remedy-for/Detail.bok

[Miko's Mom]

Thank you all for the precious visions I now have. I was thinking of contacting an animal communicator. I had a bad dream about Miko last week. I saw him trying to run in what looked like "up there" and he couldn't use his back end. He was struggling and looked like he did that fateful day. Christine

[Tamarah]

Christine -
I have just found our cc family and was saddened to hear of Miko's passing. I am so so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful life you gave him and letting go is incredibly difficult. Treasure every memory. You're in our thoughts and prayers!
Tammy & Crash

[eyelostit]

Christine,

I am so sorry, I only wish they could stay with us till our time comes.

Dolly-K9 diabetes

[mytil]

Hi Christine,

I too was very sorry to hear about Miko's passing.

We will always remember and honor your boy in our very special section Remembering all who have left us (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132)

Please do stay with us. We all know the heartache and will be here.

((((hugs))))
Terry

[Miko's Mom]

Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since Miko passed away. I re-read all these kind words of sympathy and can now smile at the thoughts, although I have some tears in my eyes. Tomorrow will be the same date and day that my beloved Tyrone passed away 6 years ago on Memorial Day. Miko and his big brother, Tyrone, passed away on the same day, a Monday. I am sure Tyrone was there to greet him. The pain never goes away so that means they never leave us. Christine

[labblab]

Dear Christine,

What a bittersweet day this must be for you, marking the anniversaries of your losses -- but hopefully, also filled with loving memories of the time that you shared with Tyrone and Miko. I was really struck by your wise observation:

"The pain never goes away so that means they never leave us."

I think there is such a profound truth to that. As much as we may wish to be relieved of the pain, to do so would somehow diminish the depth and importance of the connection. But the challenge for me has always been to find a way to honor the pain, while keeping it from overwhelming the joyful memories that also serve to preserve the spirits of my loved ones in my heart. It is a difficult balance, isn't it? And some days are easier than others...

I send you (((hugs))) today, Christine, on this Memorial Day that is especially meaningful to you.
In loving memory of your sweet boys, Tyrone and Miko ~
Marianne

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi Christine,
Just sending you good thoughts. Treasure the memories. I still shed a tear and sometimes breakout into laughter when thinking of my sweet Bailey who passed some 5 years ago or our Chainsaw 14 yrs ago. When my wife asked what I was laughing about, I say, I was just thinking about how Bailey or Chainey did this or that, and we talk about him or her for a while. We laugh, we shed tears.


"The pain never goes away so that means they never leave us."

As Marianne said, there is so much truth to that statement, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hugs to you and yours.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Christina,

"Those" dates are tough, aren't they? We know exactly when they are, how far away, and as they draw ever closer our minds and hearts are drawn even more strongly to our loved ones no longer with us.

I have found that grief possesses a wide variety of shoes. At times it comes in softly on cloud-soled shoes, wrapping itself gently around the soul; at other times, it comes in wearing stainless steel stilettos, ripping open the old wounds and inflicting new ones. Each pair of shoes brings its own brand of tears - from those that suddenly appear, silently wetting the cheeks until finally noticed to those that seem to come from an endless, aching well, burning like fire on the face.

Those tears serve a purpose. They wash our souls, cleansing and softening, preparing us for the wonders to come.

My thoughts are with you today, Christine. Thank you for letting us share in this special day with you, Miko, and Tyrone.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[ladysmom06]

Dear Christine,

Thinking of you today and sending special hugs your way.


Luv,
Lynne and Angel Lady 7/98-3/09

[Rusty's Mom]

You're in my thoughts today.

MJ

[Miko's Mom]

Thank you for the kind words. It is so wonderful to know so many understanding individuals. I could not have gone through this without ya'll. I am still in shock about the way Miko went. If he was only able to walk. I did contact a pet communicator. She said he could have gone sooner but he asked permission to stay longer because we were working so hard for him. She said he was sent to me to be my guardian angel. And he always will be. The strange thing is that in the fall a colleague/friend gave me a guardian angel pin that had an angel, holding a little chain, attached to a little dog, like the angel was walking the dog. Soon after I recieved that pin Miko started having more problems. The day I talked to the communicator I wore that pin. I was at the park and it was hot out so I had taken my jacket off, I set it next to me and had the angel and doggie pin facing me so that I could see it while I made the call. It was amazing when she told me Mik was/is my guardian angel. I know it sounds crazy but the call really helped me. I considered it grief therapy. Maybe it's a bunch a hooey but I believe. Also when I was taking a shower on Saturday May 16th, Miko died on April 20, the bathroom got chilly like it always did when he pushed the door open to look for mommy and a swoosh of cold air would come in. I even looked to see if one of the other kids pushed open the door. But it was closed. And it was Miko. Even more proof they never leave us. Christine

[ChristyA]

Christine,
Sometimes we look back on a specific time or item and things start to line up or fall into place, like the pin. I believe each one of our beloved pets are sent here to teach us something before they leave. I learned so much from Dexter and Sophie it is amazing. I also believe that was Miko opening the door to the bathroom. He was checking on you to make sure you are ok. Miko is ok now and he will continue to be with you and watch over you.
Christy

[Truffa's Mom]

Oh Christine your story has make me cry AGAIN!!!, but in a sweet way. It might be hooey as you say, but I also believe that our pet's spirits are more connected to us far beyond what we can physically see.

He was checking on you in the bathroom, for sure!!! and he will be with you, taking care of his mom, until the day you can both eternally reunited.

I'll keep praying for your heart to heal. Thank you for sharing with us all your feelings.

[Miko's Mom]

How beautiful!!! Someone is lighting candles for me and Miko. Thank you so much to my secret angel. Christine