Animal rescuer Pak Mie dies, wife vows to keep shelter going

A Muslim, who became famous for rescuing of hundreds of stray and abandoned dogs and cats in Alor Star, Muhammad Azmi Ismail, or Pak Mie, died last night at the Ampang Hospital intensive care unit. According to his Facebook page "Pak Mie Shelter”, the 58-year-old had been in critical condition since last Thursday after suffering a stroke and a brain haemorrhage.

Pak Mie was initially treated at Sultan Mizan Military Hospital in Wangsa Maju before he was transferred to Ampang Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
On Saturday, a post on Pak Mie's Facebook page stated he was undergoing a head operation but "there was little hope".
Yesterday afternoon, an update read: "medicine pumped to his heart has been stopped. Only Allah can save Pak Mie's life."

A post late yesterday said Pak Mie died about 11.30pm. A subsequent post early today said Pak Mie would be laid to rest at the Masjid al-Bukhary cemetery in Alor Star today.

The Facebook page has been flooded with thousands of condolence messages from all Malaysians, as their thoughts went out to his widow Halijah Idris, 68, his family, as well as his "anak bulu" (fur kids). Many also praised Pak Mie for his kindness to stray dogs and the love he gave them at the shelter. "So sad to know bout this news. May Pak Mie rest in peace and hopefully his family will stay strong," said Kelven Khor.
Stephanie Lee Ching Ling said: "Takziah. Kami akan merinduimu tapi kami tahu kamu di Syurga sekarang." (Condolences to Pak Mie's family. We will miss you but we know you are in heaven now.)

Another Facebook user Kueh Ketayap posted: "salam takziah untuk pakmie sekeluarga...doa haiwan peliharaan pakmie sentiasa mengiringi pakmie." (Condolences to Pak Mie's whole family... pray that animals he cared for will always be with him.)
Nini Phuah said: "Rest in Peace... its a great loss to our world of feeders & rescuers of strays...wherever you are, please watch over us & our strays & keep them safe from harm..."

On Twitter, social media users like Katrina von Gazzali also extended their condolences.

"Al fatihah to Pak Mie. What an amazing man. Your loss will be deeeply felt by the animals that you have cared for. Rest in peace," she said via her handle @AikaG.

Susan (@susanjzach) tweeted: "I didn't know Pak Mie personally but his death has made me very sad... Such an inspiring man. RIP Pak Mie. You are my hero!! #PakMie".

Pak Mie, a contractor who gave up his job to care for his rescued dogs, and his wife, who is better known as Mak Intan, made a name for themselves as a Muslim couple who defied all odds and stood up against condemnation, criticism and even slander to rescue strays and abandoned dogs. They had been known to sleep in their battered Proton Saga at the riverside shelter in Tanjung Bendahara, Alor Star. They nearly lost the shelter two years ago when the local council threatened to evict them. Pak Mie, who called himself "ayah" (father) when he spoke to his dogs, was a strong advocate for controlling the stray population by neutering the animals, not by killing them. Mak Intan, the Star Online reported a few days ago after Pak Mie went into critical condition, has vowed to keep the shelter operating.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/animal-rescuer-pak-mie-dies-wife-vows-to-keep-shelter-going