Thursday, December 29, 2011

My Only Birthday Wish


In just three days, it will officially be a brand new year!  January 1st is also my birthday.  Since it will be my first birthday in 16 years without Leary ("Bubby"), I have just one wish this year.  I'd like to help other old dogs in Leary's honor and memory. 

There is something incomparable about owning an old dog.  Old dogs are incredibly special, with distinct characteristics that I absolutely adore. (I even outlined some of my favorites in an illustration I did last year).  Caring for old dogs is bittersweet. The bond between you grows exponentially as they require more from you, yet you are surrounded with a constant awareness of the fact that your time together is growing short.  For now, I won't get into the long list of changes that had to be made to my life in order to keep Leary happy and healthy as he grew old, but I won't sugarcoat - it was a huge commitment.  And the commitment wasn't easy, but it was beautiful and something for which I will always be grateful.  When I said goodbye to him last week, I was overcome with the realization that I had never been closer to anyone or anything in my life.  That special period of time that I spent with him in his senior years multiplied our mutual devotion and taught me a new kind of love.

Sadly, many old dogs have much different experiences than Leary did.  In fact, many are abandoned.  They can't play with the same zest they did in their youth.  They require medications and special food and more frequent vet visits.  Their fur turns gray and their eyes become cloudy.  They might have accidents on the floor.  They may require hospice care.  And unfortunately, some people find this so undesirable or so much work that they give these dogs up.  I can't even imagine abandoning an animal during a time when it needed me the most, but it happens all the time.  Old dogs are often dumped at shelters, or even left behind when owners move.  Other times, they are neglected in their own homes, confined to areas with little to no human companionship.  Senior dogs are the least adopted in shelters.  These sweet, unconditionally loving animals who spent their entire lives only aiming to please are left alone, instead of being given the extra love and commitment that they deserve as they approach the end of their lives.

Thankfully, there are some organizations who work to help them.  One is the Grey Muzzle Organization, who raises funds that are distributed via annual grants each year to animal welfare and rescue groups with commitments to senior dogs.  The funds are then used by these groups to improve their ability to provide care, comfort, and loving homes for old dogs.   Another is Young At Heart, a Chicago area not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of mature and senior dogs and cats. 100% of their adoptable pets are rescued from open-admission shelters where their age makes them first in line for euthanasia.

Later today, it will officially be one week since we had to say goodbye to our Leary boy.  I miss caring for him in his old age.  I miss his sweet whitened muzzle and cloudy eyes and sleepy old man snore and special food and medication and supplements and frequent bathroom trips and arthritis massages and the loving, grateful look he gave us in return.  He is no longer here to receive the old doggy care we so loved giving to him, but through money raised in his memory, other old dogs can.  So for my birthday this year, my wish is for friends and family to make donations to either of these wonderful organizations in memory of Leary.  Although it breaks my heart that I can't celebrate my birthday with him this year for the first time, knowing that other old dogs could get the care that they need in Leary's honor makes me feel like I am still doing something for him.  To me, there could be no greater gift than that.

If you are interested in making a donation in Bubby's memory, click on either of the buttons below for more info.  No amount is too small, and every little bit helps with giving old dogs in need the security, care, and happiness they deserve in the final phases of their lives. 




Thank you for taking the time to read this.  I appreciate every one of you doing so very much.  And if you're able to make a donation, thank you a million times.  It will the best birthday present ever to know that Bubby's memory and legacy can live on in such a special way!




P.S.
Since we're talking about birthdays and all, I thought I'd repost the short photo/video tribute I made Leary for his 15th birthday last March.  If nothing else, forward to the last 15 seconds or so to the video portion where he opens his gifts.  It's the sweetest thing EVER, I promise. :)





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22 comments:

  1. I have really loved getting to know Leary through your blog. What a special guy. Hope you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

    xo,
    katy

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  2. My heart breaks for you and I couldn't watch that video without crying my eyes out but what a sweet way to ensure that his memory will live on and help other senior dogs. I do know the time and dedication it takes to care for an older dog. I have a yellow lab (Chica)who just turned 11 (on Christmas day!)and she was diagnosed with osteocarcinoma about 2 months ago, and honestly, it was the saddest day of my life so far. You and Leary are such an inspiration to us. When the time finally comes for her to cross the rainbow bridge, at least I will find comfort in knowing that there is an angel up there to welcome her home! Thank you for sharing your story with us, I know we are not alone. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday despite the circumstances and just remember that he is ALWAYS in your heart! ---> <3 <---

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  3. Thank you for posting about these wonderful organizations. I made a small donation to the gray muzzle foundation in memory of bubby! I'll spread the word as much as I can, too.

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  4. What a sweetheart! I'm sure he had a wonderful life with you. I have one dog that's about middle age right now, and you're right about how the love exponentially grows.

    www.AllThingsTangled.blogspot.com

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  5. Thank you guys for the kind words. It is comforting to us to know how many of you understand. Sarah, thank you SO much for the donation to Grey Muzzle in memory of Bubby!!! It brings tears to our eyes to know that other old dogs will be helped in his honor.

    Love,
    Melissa

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  6. What a great request for your birthday!

    Hope your birthday is wonderful and you get a lot of donations too!


    Stopping by from Blogging Buddies

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    http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

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  7. What a wonderful way to honor Bubby for your birthday! My heart just aches for you and it is just so inspiring to see you wanting to help these sweet old dogs in Leary's name!!! I will be making a donation in memory of Bubby to Young At Heart for your birthday. I hope you can try to have a happy one as best you can right now.

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  8. I've always felt so bad when people abandon the older dogs. It saddens me so much. I've always wanted to take in older dogs and give them the best last years of their life and take care of them. When I get my own place and if I have enough funds to support this dream, I will. I'm so glad you brought my attention to these organizations because I never heard of them. I will definitely be making a donation to both organizations. I hope all is well.

    By the way, is there any way I can take those buttons and post them on my blog? I don't have many followers AT ALL, but I would love to help.

    Email me at [email protected] if you would like!

    xo kristen
    thosesunnydays.blogspot.com

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  9. Loved the video...I am an animal lover myself, and I will definetly share this on my blog.
    Debbi
    -ourhoometoyours

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  10. http://ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/12/scary-blue-woman.html

    I added the link to this post here.
    Debbi

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  11. I just made a donation to grey muzzle in memory of Leary. I can't imagine how heartbroken you must be and hope you are able to still have a happy birthday. So very sorry for your loss, Jess

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  12. As a shelter dog owner and advocate for rescue dogs, I absolutely love this post and your charge for people to donate or adopt. Also, the video is delightful and had me tearing up instantly. Thanks, as always, for the great posts.

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  13. dear melissa i would say your heart is made of platinum, but your warmer than that. happy new year birthday girl!

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  14. Melissa,

    You perfectly summed up all the many ups and downs that come with caring for senior dogs. Last summer we had to say goodbye to our 15 year old golden girl Lillie, after she fought a long and brave battle with lymphoma and LP. All the vet visits, medications, supplements and special care we gave her was worth every ounce of effort and penny. And even though you know the end is near, nothing prepares you for losing your best friend in the world. Give yourself the time you need to heal, this may take a while...

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  15. This Christmas was heartbreaking for me. I hadn't seen my dog since August, and the change when I got home was awful - struggling to stand up, not able to climb the stairs, easily exhausted... it's so hard to remember why you choose to have a dog at times like this. However, you need to hold onto the good memories and I am currently cherishing every moment we have left. I'm hoping that he'll still be around next time I go home.

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience; it's good to know I'm not alone x

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  16. This is so sweet, and such a good idea, Melissa. I hope you are able to enjoy your birthday even though I know you're missing Bubby. <3

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  17. Thank you all so much for the love. Reading your comments has helped during this very difficult time. And I can't thank you enough for the donations made in Leary's memory. I can't think of anything that would mean more to me right now.

    Love,
    melissa

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  18. I have such a soft spot for senior dogs. It's my plan to actually adopt senior pets when I would next be looking at getting another dog. they have so much love to give and deserve a home and someone to call their own at that time in life. Have just donated to Grey Muzzle in Bubby's name - through his memory, you are helping so many old dogs have a wonderful 2012, well done.

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  19. Oh Mel that video is so sweet. But my heart is just breaking for you. My birthday is coming up and I am going to do the same by asking for donations to those orgs, for Leary and Kaya and every good old dog out there that deserves a loving home in their later years.

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  20. this made me tear up. my dog was 15 when she died in 2010 and it was the most miserable experience of my life. but she was the best old dog ever! I'm definitely donating to grey muzzle.

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  21. i've been getting so scared latley. for my sampson and his aging. i decided to look through your older bubby posts. ahhh i'm so teary already! bubby seems amazing. i love my dogs so much. i am sorry [again] for your loss.

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  22. I've know about Leary since I first became a Mountains of the Moon customer 10 years ago. I remember seeing him at your events just hanging out in your booth. He was so cute and sweet. I'm sad that he passed but it warms my heart that you had him for so long! I could tell he was a very very loved dog with an incredible life. Making a donation right now.

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