UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2nd, 2021

I want to tell you the story of my friend Mitsou. Two weeks ago she passed away and left a little paw print space in my heart. Her time with me was brief, but special.

Ten years ago when I co-founded Ladybird Animal Sanctuary with my friend’s Lisa Winn and Janine Stoll I knew that sadly I wouldn’t be able to be a part of the fostering team given my constant touring schedule with my band Whitehorse.

Well, a global pandemic hit 😱😱😱 and suddenly I was home all the time with my family. I told Lisa that I would love to foster a dog during this time and she said “well, there’s a senior Shih Tzu at the shelter right now!” I grew up with a Shih Tzu, so I knew this was the gal for me.

The next day I picked up Mitsou from the shelter. She was quietly sitting in the back of her cage with a sign taped above alerting staff that Mitsou was blind and deaf and would need some help getting around.

The first thing I learned about this sweetie is that she’s an incredibly trusting and gentle dog. She was by my side immediately and crawled from the backseat of the car and halfway onto my lap on the drive home. She perched herself on me, clinging to some hope of security and love.

Mitsou was found on the streets of Hamilton, a sweet old lady left to fend for herself. It was clear that she had been owned, but was severely neglected and then abandoned. Nobody claimed her at the shelter.

Mitsou came to us with a host of physical issues, not to mention the matted overgrown fur.
She was with me for a year, and became an official Ladybird permanent resident due to her medical issues. Between rounds of meds for various issues and necessary surgeries, she grew more comfortable and full of life with every passing day. We joked that she was the Benjamin Button of Shih Tzus, growing younger day by day.

We had such a lovely routine by the end. Good morning snuggles that my 7 year old son would get in on, followed by breakfast and a walk, some playtime during the day, maybe a bone to chew on for a while, more snuggles, more walks and of course she would stand there so trusting as I poked and prodded giving her her many medications and treatments. She would follow me from room to room, my loyal pal.

Things took a bad turn a few weeks ago when she suddenly lost the use of her back legs, due to a previously undiagnosed disc disease. After much deliberation, tears, talks with vets and the Ladybirds we decided to keep her comfortable and spoiled rotten for a few days before ending things peacefully for her with our trusted vet at Spencer Creek Animal Hospital.

It was a heart wrenching goodbye, as Mitsou was really becoming a part of the family. We are going to miss her so much!

I’m so grateful for her presence in our lives and that she finally got the love and care she deserved. As sad as any ending is, there is comfort in knowing hers was peaceful and full of love.

Thank you to all our Ladybird donors, fosters, adopters, volunteers and supporters for looking out for these little creatures when no one else will.

RIP Mitsou, my sweet friend❤️

Mitsou was found as a stray and brought to Hamilton Animal Services. This poor girl was in rough shape. She had hot spots all over her back end, fleas, and overgrown nails. Her eyes were goopy and almost sealed shut, and she appears to be mostly blind. It is suspected she’s also deaf. On top of all that, Mitsou had blood in her urine. The shelter started Mitsou on medication, and they reached out to us for help.

We got Mitsou out of the shelter and into a foster home. Since arriving into our care, Mitsou has had multiple vet visits, surgeries, medications, treatments, and even more vet visits. Because of what will be life-long health issues, we’ve made Mitsou a permanent resident. She’s more than happy to be right where she is, and we’re happy to look after her until her quality of life allows.
For now, Mitsou is loving the spoiled life and she’s very, very loved by her forever foster family.

We love you Mitsou!