Tara will be leaving us

[tara20]

I'm sitting here with my dog (Tara who lent me her name)and I know that in the next hour or so I'll have to have her put to sleep. It's breaking my heart, but I know it's the right thing to do. She's had a good life and as she grew older I refused to have her poked and cut open (warts and benign tumours) which allowed her to grow old living her life as she always has. She reached the grand old age of 15 last month, but within the past few days she has lost power in her legs and is disorientated.

We go on holiday this weekend and I don't want my daughter to have to do this on her own. I'm so torn between giving her another week or so but I know it's inevitable. This is the last favour we can do her, not to let her suffer unnecessarily. But it's so hard.

[kp nonuts]

I am so sorry for you tara i could not even bare to think about what it must feel like i dont know how i would cope if i ever had to make that choice with my golden retreiver my heart really goes out to you i just dont know what more to say apart from tara will live on with every post you put on here

[gelda]

This is so hard for you,I've been through it myself so I know how you feel. Another last thing you could do for her is to get the vet to come to your home to put her to sleep', Most animals hate going to the vet so if the vet comes out to you it , will save her all that stress in the last moments of her life, it will cost you more but at least she will be at home when she passes away. I'll be thinking of you. Gelda x

[juliacornwal]

Oh dear, I'm so sorry for you and I know exactly how you feel. I had to take my beloved Jasper to be put to sleep last year because he had a fast growing tumour on his face and he was obviously in pain. But when the worst of your agony has eased a little you will comfort yourself in the knowledge that you did the right thing, I promise you.

It was a lesson I learned when I was 15, with my first dog. My mother allowed her one extra day when she was obviously suffering and then took me to one side and told me, very severely, that after all the years of love and loyalty Sally had given me, the one truly generous thing I could do for her was to stop her suffering, but it must be MY decision, because she was MY dog. I've never forgotten that - and have found it oddly comforting when I've been faced with the decision again during my lifetime.

[Kleiber]

Bless you Tara - both of you. K xx

[tinkertontom]

so sorry to hear that your beloved dog has to be put to sleep ,it is so hard a thing to have to do but you know it will be a peaceful end and she will not be in anymore pain and discomfort and she will always be in your memories.

when one of my cats had to be put to sleep I bought a garden ornament of a cat, painted it black as that was her colour and is now in my garden so she is always there with us
I will be thinking of you x

[Pippa68]

My heart goes out to you, tara.

I went through the same kind of thing with my cat Sonny just a few months ago. We had only had him a year (a wandering stray) but it was still incredibly hard to let him go...we felt as if we had only just begun to know him, but we were very grateful that he had chosen us to spend his last year on earth with.

Think of Tara often, have a weep every now & then and tell yourself you have given her the ultimate gift ~ a lifetime of happiness and eventually the strength to let her go.

[B00]

Awww tara, bless your heart. You know that you're doing the final kindness for your dog, console yourself that she had a good life.

Take care
Boo
xxx

[RATTER15]

Time for this one again:

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

[B00]

oh jeez ratter, that'll get us all blubbing, never mind tara!

[Panic Button]

A pet is one of the family, and saying goodbye is awful. I know as I have been through it a few times.

However if you know that it is the right time then don't feel guilty. If she is suffering then you going away for a few days could add to her stress.

You have my sympathy.

[shaneystar2]

It's only six weeks since I had Shaney put to sleep and it's still very raw so I know just how you feel .They leave a big gap in your life and a huge pawprint on your heart. .
They can't tell you how they feel and it isn't fair to let them suffer. .
After all the years of unconditional love and loyalty a dog gives to us this is the kindest thing we can do for them .
It is hard but it will pass and you will remember the happy times you had with your dog.
Mr Kipling summed it up so well when he said " Brothers and sisters I bid you beware ..of giving your heart to a dog to tear. And he was right ..
Take care .

[janela]

I feel for you, I recently had to have my cat put to sleep as she was suffering badly and as you say it was the right thing to do. We had her cremated and then put the ashes in our front garden underneath a lavender plant along with another cat we had many years ago. We can see the plants thriving over the years and then when the flowers dry we gather them and make lavender bags for our drawers and cupboards. So then the essence of the cats is always around us.

[tara20]

It's over, I held her head and she just went to sleep.
I know in my head it was the right thing to do, but my heart's sore.
I suppose it'll hit me when I get home from work, but I've tried to clear all her bits and pieces away. In a few months time I'll sort it out.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts, I appreciate them.

On Sunday I fly back to Scotland on holiday ( I'm in Vienna)
Maybe the change of scenery will do me good.

[bigmamma]

Tara , I have tears as I can only say how brave and kind of you that you have put your beloved Tara at rest . Bless you .
xxx

[cyanide]

I`m lost for words,bless you.
xxx

[pussnboots]

I've only just read your post tara and I have tears streaming down my face. I have had two dogs in the past who have been put to sleep and it is heart breaking. My old cat is now 18 years old and I am dreading the day. My thoughts are with you.xx

[Pippa68]

Bless you tara20..and Tara too.

She will be thankful that you gave her peace.

Take care xxx

[andrea81]

My dog was very ill when he was put to sleep and to be honest my dad delayed putting him to sleep at the time as I was away in Uni and din't want to stress me out, but when I saw him the last time, he had lost that happy look he always had.

My dad took him to be put to sleep and said that normally my dog used to refuse to go into the vets, but he just gladly walked in. My dad swears he was grateful when they injected him.

Only wish I was braver to begin with, maybe he wouldn't have needed to suffer for longer than he had to! Still pains me 10 years on, he was a gentleman...

...... and now you got me crying!!!!!

[netibiza]

I've just read your post, and I'm crying. God bless Tara. I'm a cat person, and had to have my darling Missy put to sleep, but I insisted on cuddling her in my arms until she passed. Tara will find painless peace, you owe her that, and you will keep the lovely memories of her. Take care x

[cruella]

Oh tara.
I really do feel for you. It is one of the worst things anyone has to do.
Glad you were with her until the end.
She has now passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
God bless her!