Munchies & Peony

Within the past year and half, I’ve had to say goodbye to my darling Malteses, Munchies and Peony.

Munchies was almost 17 yrs old when I was able to peacefully transition him in the comfort of my own home. He was a basketcase, anxiety is an understatement for him when it came to coming into the clinic. He would breathe controllably and bite the metal kennel bars until silver in the teeth. At that time, he was blind and deaf ailing from severe arthritis, renal failure, heart disease, dementia, & Cushing’s. He continually woke me up in the middle of the night from his mania. He was still eating and drinking well, but was difficult for him to ambulate. He would have good and bad days, but mostly bad days. He had a great appetite until the very end. At this point, I knew I had to make an executive decision to let him go respectfully and in peace. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made! I picked a date and stuck to it. I made sure to spoil him with his favorite things to eat, gave him a heavy sedative which took the edge off so he could finally be at rest. I set him in my meditation room surrounded by lit candles, Tibetan singing bowl, soothing beach waves in the background, prayers, and fellow friends when I sent him off to rainbow ridge. It was the best thing I could offer him, a painless way to honor his life. He laid there so peacefully in his bed. I will forever have this peaceful memory of him and so glad I was able to do it in this manner.

Peony was almost 16 yrs old suffering from congestive heart failure when I had to put her to sleep. Her erratic breathing and heart disease came over so fast, within 4 months! I was not prepared for this. I thought the first decision to euthanize Munchies was hard, oh I was wrong! This was much more difficult because the special bond we shared. I still have trouble talking about this one. She had the best angelic personality, but I couldn’t bear her suffering. I tried everything, heart medications that she refused to take and was quickly learning acupuncture to help her. Atlas, it was time to make the hardest decision of my life! It was time to let my little girl go. Again, I was so fortunate to have the support of friends at the house to give her the noble death she deserved and honor her life with prayers, candlelight, Tibetan singing bowl, and song. She went peacefully. I will never forget this angelic face and experience we had.