Rest in peace, sweet, wonderful Yuki 2010- 2023
I sustained a spinal cord injury in 2012, which left me with no bodily functions from just above the waist down and in a wheelchair. I found my first companion Maltese in 2013.
Without knowing much about small breeds I found Clipper on Craigslist to be re-homed. He was five years old and was with me for seven years. After Clipper’s passing, I thought I wanted another dog immediately but it did not work out…although I attempted several times.
Yuki (fka Crystal) was a 12-year old senior Maltese up for adoption through Muttville with numerous health issues. I was in a place where my aging body was struggling far beyond what I thought could be possible after my injury. I truly was losing the will to live.
I initially passed up on her because her foster said she was a barker and I live in a community situation. Something brought me back to considering her and I just went with my gut and I’m so very glad I did!
She was with me a little over a year and a half and over the last few weeks she has declined quite a bit. I’m personally most comfortable ushering my animals out in a dignified beautiful way…feeling fortunate that we can do that for them. Last December, we said goodbye to Yuki. Her happy place was in the car helping London with DoorDash deliveries, so that’s what we did.
Dr. Cameron Collins at East Sacramento Veterinary was Yuki’s vet and is the most gentle, kind and knowledgeable man. She had been through so much upon her rescue: cancerous mammary tumors, skin infections, parasites, eye growths, congestive heart disease and dental disease. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue took care of a lot, but all were chronic.
I believe now, knowing that she is a purebred Maltese, she probably came from a backyard breeder. She was found as a stray. Dr. Collins has made her less fearful of being treated for her health issues… so he was the one that came out to the car… which is her happy place. I am so grateful for him and his staff.
I tried not to make her life strictly about medical stuff, and give her as much love and normalcy as I could. She was a very stoic little dog. I’ve only seen her wag her tail a handful of times, but she still seemed happy.
I don’t regret adopting a senior dog. Although, it hasn’t been a long time together, I feel very good she was able to spend her final chapter with me.
Life’s final chapter should be with happiness and dignity, and love!
Tresa Honaker
Original profile
The name says it all. This white-hot sparkler is gonna brighten up you life. We could all use a little emotional bedazzling right about now, no? Crystal is a sweet, squeezable little doll who would be just as thrilled to get a mani-pedi as she would be to roll around in the dirt. Okayyyy, she likes dirt better. But maybe you can do both and then get lunch somewhere?
1/15/24
