12/29/2025
We try to keep our page focused on hope and positive outcomes, but occasionally there are difficult situations that are still very much part of our mission. Mia, a 12-year-old Maltese, is one of those stories.
Mia’s owner has been dealing with serious health issues and has been hospitalized and in rehab over the past month. During that time, family members believed a relative was checking in on Mia and making sure she was cared for. Sadly, on Saturday, another relative stopped by the home and found Mia collapsed, unable to get up, with no food or water available.
We dropped everything and rushed to help. Mia was taken immediately to the emergency vet, where she was warmed, stabilized, and evaluated. She was severely dehydrated, hypothermic, and in kidney failure. Diagnostics revealed that she also had advanced, previously undiagnosed chronic kidney disease and Cushing’s disease—conditions that had already weakened her body. Despite round-the-clock care, Mia was not able to recover.
I stayed with her at the end, petting her and letting her know she was loved. Although I only knew her a short time, saying goodbye to her was heartbreaking.
This situation highlights how important it is to have a clear, written plan in place for pets—especially when health issues arise—and to ensure everyone involved understands their role. Chronic conditions like kidney disease and Cushing’s aren’t curable, but they are manageable, and earlier care could have improved Mia’s comfort and quality of life. We can give you resources to aid with the cost of vet care.
Our hearts are with everyone involved in this very difficult situation. Mia deserved peace, and we are grateful we could at least give her comfort and kindness at the end. We hope sharing this story encourages everyone, no matter how old they are, to make a plan for their pets and to understand the importance of annual vet visits, especially as a pet ages.