Mika McDonough

Mika was brought into the shelter around 6 weeks old and was adopted and brought back 8 times before we met and I adopted her into her forever home on February 18, 2012. She was around a year and a half old she was the loudest dog in the shelter and seemed to have boundless energy- she didn't know how to lay on a dog bed or how to play with toys but she never once went to the bathroom in the house or destroyed anything. Mika had so much love to give after she began to trust. Once in a while we would find something that would trigger her that would be a clue into her past- I can't fathom what she went through as a puppy but she overcame it all and lived another 12.5 years with the most love ever. She knew if you were having a bad day or were sad and would press her forehead into you like a “hug”. She was a fierce protector of kids of all ages- when our first was born she would sit and stand guard making sure she was safe, anywhere the baby went- Mika was sure to be right there too. When Mika was younger she loved to play with other dogs, take long walks, go swimming, run through mud, hunt cats or rabbits (though never successfully) and if she saw a playground she would bolt to the top and go down any slide she could! As she aged she preferred the slower paced life and traded hunting, playgrounds, and running for napping in the sun and rolling in the grass. Even up to her last day she still enjoyed walks, especially to grandma and grandpas house where she was sure to get the best ear scratches. I’ll never forget all of her quirks like trying to sleep and fit places she definitely didn’t fit (laps, between the legs of the dining room chairs, and tiny dog beds to name a few!), how she seemed to use anything and everything for a pillow- stacks of library books always were her favorite, even though it looked so uncomfortable, or how unwrapping gifts was her favorite! It didn’t matter if it was someone’s birthday or Christmas, if there was a gift wrapped in wrapping paper she went to level 20 excitement and became ripping the paper back. Thinking back to the last 12.5 years we really grew up together. She was there while I moved 7 different times, 2 states. Through break ups and then when I got married. Through job changes to becoming a stay at home mom and gaining 3 human siblings. She grew old a lot quicker than I have and that’s been tough to watch but she had unconditional love from the very first day we met until she crossed the rainbow bridge. I know she’s up there with her fur brother, Monte, watching over us. One day we will meet again but until then I have so much peace knowing she lived the best life possible and is no longer in pain. I’d like to think she’s back to running and going down slides or swimming again. Maybe she even gets to be reunited with her fur mom and siblings she never got to know here on Earth. Mika, Mika bear, moo bear, moo baby, moo moo, cho, chocho, Chobani, Chobie, Thank you for all of your love over the last 12.5 years. And make sure to tell God thank you for letting our paths cross. Until we meet again my sweet Angel- I love you. 

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.”
– Thom Jones