We have had an amazing companion for 24 years, Mickey the Monastery dog. Some of you remember Mickey when he was young, bouncy and mischievous, chased chickens, was almost killed by the coyotes, and did a variety of tricks (including stand and dance, jumping over a broomstick and attempts to get out of rolling ALL the way over). He sat through many sesshin and services with us, often deciding to occupy on the teacher’s mat or sitting on the lap of a person who was having difficulties that day. He whined and cried if he was excluded from the zendo and woke sleeping meditators up by licking hands and feet. He defied veterinary predictions by recovering from a cornea that got infected and ruptured when he jumped for a tame banded pigeon that happened to fly in the door and land on our coffee table!
Mickey’s health has been deteriorating over the past year. He had become deaf and almost completely blind. He could still smell cheese, though, and loved to eat! He lived through several near-death experiences when we all thought he was a goner. The vet said a year ago that there was nothing more they could do for him due to his advanced age. He continued to amaze us by living on, but with increasing disability and pain. He made it through this year’s Dharma Camp, where a number of kids and parents were glad to see him again, though sad to see how weak and disabled he had become.
The last week he’s been up all night, groaning and very distressed despite aspirin. We gave Mickey a dose of painkiller that we thought might stop his breathing. We sat with him until the wee hours, but he just slept very soundly, out of pain for the first time in many months. In the morning he lay asleep in the zendo with us, just like the old days. Later on he awoke, in constant pain again, pacing, moaning, falling down and unable to settle at all.
We took him to the vet in the afternoon. Blessedly, he slept all the way there. The vet came out to the van and gave him a little shot in his thigh. He barely noticed it. This put him back into deep, relaxed sleep, the kind he had last night. Then she came out again and gave him an IV injection that stopped his heart. She was very kind and it seemed very simple and easy for him.
Last night he lay in the zendo (actually the gym zendo) now, curled up in his bed, with candles, flowers and incense. He looked soft and young again. This morning after morning chanting we carried him to the Jizo garden where we did a service and buried him. His grave was lined with ferns and he was covered with white dahlia and pink gladiola flowers.
A Tibetan teacher told us that Lhasa Apso dogs are said to be monastics that lapsed in their vows, and are reborn in a temple so they can once again hear the dharma. If they take it in they can be reborn as humans and practice again. This legend sure fit Mickey’s little person. I think we should all keep a sharp eye out for another “hairy reprobate” to show up among us!
Thank you for all the attention and love you gave him over his 24 years with us.
Palms together,
Chozen