The Mia Foundation
Mia
She touched the world with just one smile
Mia's famous
Paper Towel Video
Mia was born on June 26th, 2010 by c-section. The vets noticed a cleft palate right away and suggested that I euthanize her. They told me that cleft palate babies are too much work and they rarely survive anyway. I decided to give her a chance.
Mia developed aspiration pneumonia at 4 days old and I was told not to expect any miracles. We found a pharmacist that made a compounded prescription for her and hoped for the best. She survived! She fought through several surgeries to repair her palate and many bouts of pneumonia. Mia never showed that she had a disability. Her spirit and will to live, no matter what obstacle she was faced with, was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. She woke up each day with a smile and made it a fun adventure!
Mia had to go everywhere with us because if she aspirated she needed to be suctioned and she also needed to be tube-fed 5 times a day. Because of this, she made many friends . People were first drawn to her size and then were amazed by her story. Her Facebook page grew daily and she was making friends with people all over the world! People were just drawn to her for some reason. She had this ability to make people fall in love with her instantly by just seeing a photo of her. She was very photogenic but I still wondered what it was about this little dog that touched so many people. Was it her will to live? Was it because she was so tiny( weighing only 1.6 pounds?) Was it that unforgettable smile? Was it how she interacted with the foster pets in my care, or her feisty personality? I just couldn't figure it out.
On Easter Sunday 2012 Mia woke up with pneumonia. She stayed at Rochester Animal Emergency for 3 days on I.V. antibiotics and received oxygen therapy. I brought her home on April 11th to continue treatment where she would be more comfortable. When we got home, I told Mia that if she was tired of fighting and wanted to go to sleep that I would miss her but that I would be okay. She passed away in my arms at 1:45 pm. She was 2 months shy of her 2nd birthday. I never thought that I would lose her that day. She had survived so many times and I just assumed she would this time too. But her little body was tired and she knew that she was here long enough to accomplish her mission.
It wasn't until after her death that I realized the reason for Mia's existence. By taking the time to save her life, she in turn touched so many people and saved many animals too. Mia was a miracle! She was an inspiration! She opened the eyes of veterinarians, breeders, and people that thought special needs babies weren't worth the effort.
That was Mia's Mission!
That was her reason for existence.
I am so proud and blessed to have been her mommy!
I miss her every single second of every minute of every hour of every day!
Mia's legacy will live on through the Foundation created in her memory!
The Mia Foundation ~ If they are born, they deserve a chance to live!
Mia and her kittens
Click to enlarge
Mia's famous
Get me out of this bag video
