Missy was so sickly when we rescued her, we didn’t think she would live more than a couple of weeks. We took her home to give her lots of love, plenty of food, and a nice warm bed. She had been living outside under a dirty old couch, and was covered in ticks and fleas. It was months before she stopped eating any bug that she saw. We named her Mischief “Missy”.
She grew into a beautiful prancing lady, and was so large, referred to her as our little pony. She was part black lab, collie, and golden retriever. She was very gentle and had a sweet temperament. She was an inside dog, slept with us, and alerted us to unfamiliar vehicles, bears, approaching storms, and especially when her dog friend would come to visit. She would get so excited; it was clear we were going outside right then! She loved to ride in the truck, and how she liked going to the river! She would dive right in.
Missy wasn’t a lap dog, being “Miss Independent”, but she showed us love and devotion in other ways. Twice, while on long walks on the mountain, bears have stepped out in front of us and Missy would go into protective mode. She was going to get him! Missy was a family member who always wanted to know where we were, and wanted to be near us. She was our little helper.. If she heard an egg being cracked (or something frying), she was in the kitchen in a heartbeat! She loved scrambled eggs!
When she was two, she went missing for a full week. We searched everywhere! When she came home on her own, she was thin, starving, and her paws were hurting so bad, she could barely walk. The vet said she had probably been trapped somewhere. From that day forward, Missy was never the same. She was now petrified of big trucks, gunfire, and thunder so Daddy made her a hidey hole (think of a dog crate, but made with wallboard) and she would go straight in there and lay down until she was no longer scared.
In her last year and a half, Missy’s body (her back and hind legs) deteriorated to the point she could no longer do the things she used to do. It was heartbreaking to watch her struggle, but she was a strong-willed girl and wasn’t giving up. In the end, though, she let us know when she could no longer go on. There was a calmness in her while giving us kisses that last night. It was like she was saying goodbye and I love you.
When Dr. Beth Rhyne of 4Paws arrived, Missy sat up to greet her. She hadn’t been able to move from that spot since the afternoon before. You could tell Missy liked Beth right away; so did we. Beth loved on Missy as if she was her own. After Missy had passed, we wrapped her up in the softest sheet I have ever felt, and when we took her out to Beth’s car, she had a beautiful comforter and pillows for Missy to lay on. We tucked her in and gave her our final kiss. We are sincerely grateful to Beth for making Missy’s last hour such a loving and respectful one.
Missy was 12 years and 11 months old when she passed, and we will miss her terribly. It was a joy having her in our family. Missy, we love you. ❤️
Your loving Guardians
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