Oreo: Farewell Miracle Runt of the Litter (Pet Obituaries)

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There are only a handful of moments in my life that I was truly proud of.    One of it was helping you to live and raising Oreo...

I would I can still recall November 28, 2009, it was a long labor for Kiwi just for you... the last one... the litter of the runt.  You were so different from your older brothers.  Toffee, the eldest one came out easily and was already crawling confidently from the moment he was born.  Mochi, the second one was so huge and fat that you'd mistake him for a month-old instead of a newborn puppy.

But, you... lifting you off the ground scared me... You were so tiny and almost weightless... It was as if I was holding a bag full of fur. 

Worse, you were breathing faintly and thinly.  Worst, you would suddenly stop breathing.  For a week, Kurt and I took turns to watch over you and resuscitate you through chest compression or suction through bulb syringe every time you stopped breathing.

You were Kiwi's favorite.  Whenever you were being pushed around by your brothers, she would reposition herself.  She was also extra attentive inducing you digestive system.  

For weeks, you didn't grow much in weight or size. Yet, a miracle that somehow you survived weaning stage with your noisy asthmatic breathing.  And, from then on, you were able to compete with your siblings.  You opened your eyes, you stood on your four paws, you ate on your own and you grew in size.  To our surprise, you also had more spots and transformed into a bear coat flower sharpei. 

Except for your heavy breathing, you never showed anyone any sign of weakness.   You can easily fend off all six other dogs when they were playing to rough. 

 I will never forget that morning on February 17, 2020... just a day before my birthday...   You followed me intently and looked at me as if you didn't want me to leave for work...  Even though I would be late, I sat down and pat you on the head and told you "see you later" and you just kept looking at me.  I even messaged the family to pay attention to you because you were "clingy".  I should have known it was your way of bidding goodbye and that was the last moment I'd see you alive.

You were truly one of God's greatest gift to me.  For someone who is lazy and selfish like me, you have thought me the how far-reaching ones will-power and heart can be.   Even with all your infirmities and weakness, you always chose to do right thing even when its the harder thing to do. 

During your last days, we knew you had difficulty standing up.  But, you would still muster all your strength to stand up just so you could walk and even climb the stairs to pee or poo outside the house.    

Farewell my miracle runt of the litter... We had a wonderful 11 years together...