Modo's Happy Retirement

Wed. February 19, 2014

This crooked, thin, and tired old soul, entering the last phase of his life, was abandoned a little over a week ago.  Luckily he was abandoned at the right place so we could spot him. His condition pulled at every sentiment and left us speechless. His front legs bent outward. His right leg, obviously an old break around the ankle, had mended crooked. The left leg was twisted in a peculiar way, perhaps after carrying the weight of the right leg.  His tail was the shape of an upside down capital L and you could count every rib and vertebra.  Inside of this body was the most gentle of dispositions; old eyes looking for warmth.  Watching him, the way he moved and interacted with us, I couldn’t help but think of Quasimodo. How could I not call him ....Modo. We spent this time feeding him and trying to figure out what to do. 

     Along the way, we found out his story (the world is small after all) and there is no need to go in that direction because there is a silver lining to this cloud.  We came upon a woman who knew Modo in his younger years.  She couldn’t bear the fact that he was abandoned when he needed someone the most.  She decided to take him in so he can live out, in dignity, what ever time he has left!!  This evening with the help of a fellow volunteer, we took Modo to his new home.  His new owner, expecting our arrival, was cooking for him.  As soon as they saw each other there was no question of the existing bond.  You would have thought that he had lived there for ever. We are really lucky.  Modo is really lucky.  This case… closed.  Happy retirement Modo!!! 

  

November 07/2014

He lived well during the last part of his life.  The funny thing is that although treated very well at his new home he kept leaving and making his way back to the volunteer who had started taking care of him when he was found. That is where he wanted to stay and so it was.

In July he began to slow down considerably and he gave us a bit of a scare when he refused to stand up.  We took him to the vet where he was given a cortisone shot.  His appitite was very good and after the cortisone he became  mobile once again.  We wanted to give him the opportnity to live his life to the fullest.  By September, he once again became very heavy and there were times he struggled greatly to stand and make his way to do his doggie business. He continued to love being pet and cuddled and often called out for attention sinking into our arms.  We, his main caregiver and I, discussed the situation and decided that if this happens again and becomes incontintent we would have to consider saying goodbye.

That day came on September 29th.  Once again unable to get himself up, he struggled. Hoping for something more we took Modo to the vet. After checking him over the vet concluded that from there on it would be very difficult for Modo.  Cortisone could only do so much.

 It is always hard to say good bye.  It is always hard to hold them ... having held him a 100 times, full of life and love ...to feel that life slip away; the emotional surge has no words.  Modo went in peace with lots of love, a full belly and held close in my arms until his last breath ...  and beyond.

Bye bye old boy!  It was so amazing to have  met you!