From Personal Experience - A Memorial

We receive a few emails every year that really touch our hearts. We would like to share one of those stories with you. We have received permission from the author to share this story of adoption and love with you from the Parent of a MHS alumni dog who found her forever family.

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I thought I'd share my story about adopting a Jackabee (half Jack Russell, half Beagle) from the Mississauga Humane society. 
At first we weren't sure about adopting a dog, but my sister said she heard of a 3 year old little girl named Mila who needed a home and urged us to adopt her.

When she first arrived, she was very shy, but irresistibly sweet. Our hearts immediately melted for her and we all knew deep down that this little girl would  become a part of our home and family.

I remember each time I'd come home, Mila would jump into my arms, howling and yelping with joy as she kissed every inch of my face... the joy I felt seeing the excitement in Mila's eyes whenever I'd show her the leash and we would go for a walk. I remember moments when I'd be feeling down, and Mila would cuddle up  beside me, her soulful brown eyes staring into mine, comforting me, letting me know she was always there for me.

She lived a long beautiful life filled with happiness and love and our lives were also filled with happiness and love because of her. In old age, her hearing began to fade, as well as her vision; but her love towards us remained strong. Always cuddling beside us, feeling loved, safe and secure.

Mila was just a few days shy of her 16th birthday when she left this world, a moment so painful and heartbreaking, that even today, over a year since she left us, I find myself breaking into tears when looking through pictures of her. I still feel sadness when I look at the chest filled with her toys, remembering how her tail wagged each time I'd open it, watching her dig her head into the pile as she picked out a toy.

But despite the pain of losing a pet we all loved and cared for, it brings us tremendous joy knowing we gave this sweet innocent little girl a second chance by adopting her. Providing her with a second chance at life, happiness and love. Adopting Mila has been one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my life. Watching her journey through life has taught me so much about life itself. It made me realize what's important,it's helped keep me grounded, and has provided me with an education no school could ever offer.

Mila truly was my best friend, my buddy, my sweet little girl.

Her soul is now free, out there somewhere, waiting for the day when we will all be together again.

She was and forever will be a part of my life. 

Adopting a pet can become one of the best decisions a person cam make. It requires both effort and dedication, but in the end, the experience is truly rewarding.

I know without a doubt that I've developed into a better person because of Mila.