Beyond the Visible: Remembering Ultraviolet

Full Spectrum

In the morning when the sun dawns

It shines its rays of light

A rainbow vis-age

With Ultraviolet

Beyond sight

Beyond the Visible

Remembering Ultraviolet

In the hours before dawn today, we held Ultraviolet close and spoke loving words to her in hushed tones. Before saying goodbye we shared our favorite stories of this brilliant girl who has touched so many lives over her short 9-years in this corporeal world. She charmed so many with her calm confidence and spritely walk, and she made a difference in many ways, such as:

At home, she was quiet, quirky and confident. She’d take our shoes and hide them in the bolster crevices of her dog beds. They were never chewed on, but her bed was where she kept anything that she decided was hers. When she yawned, she’d shove her entire hind leg in her mouth to the back of her throat. Why? Who knows, but this never ceased to make us laugh. She’d never actively bug us for her meals, but she would sit somewhere obvious while quietly staring me down until I’d notice what I referred to as her “death stare.”

At the park, she was the opposite. A rambunctious referee of dogs of all sizes and personalities despite her short stature at 15 lbs. She had a thing for huskies and tended to attract dogs who didn’t like any other dogs. She was special like that.

She had a strength in herself akin to that she inspired in others. In November 2023 UV was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis (MUE), which has a prognosis of 6 months to 2 years if it can’t be cured. She made it through an incredible 1 year and 3 months.

Here are two ways you can support us through this difficult transition:

1. Share your favorite story about UV - How did you meet? How has she made you smile? If you’ve never met her, has she brightened your day across the virtual world? Has she ever inspired you?

2. Medical & Memorial Fund - Like UV, I believe in being direct: we need help. Her battle with MUE has been costly, even with pet insurance covering some of the $20K treatment costs. Combined with my recent health challenges and a gap in science contract work, we're in a tough spot.

Any support would help cover these expenses while we honor UV's memory and bridge this (what we hope is) temporary gap. Thank you for considering how you might help, whether big or small.

All the Love and Light,

Dorea and Mitch