Time to Embrace and say: Goodbye  

Love and Death are part of life and Grief is the natural response. Pets are family and when they pass it is extremely difficult! I find grief to ebb and flow – sometimes easier to endure than others, and my own experience to “embrace’ what is and to accept the cycle of life.

Days before the 3E event, I had to say goodbye to my little precious “Toby”. I am grateful that on 2-2-2002, he rescued and chose me to be his human mommy. From the first day, we came home from the shelter, our family was bestowed with his paw, unconditional love, and uncanny protection. I have had other dogs and lost them before – but none had me from “the first hello”.  He was my ‘white shadow’.
At our healing center, he was cloned as the ‘official greeter’ – a therapist, without the professional credentials.  If you had visited our office, most likely you were greeted by Toby.
He’d drift into hypnotic state of his own during hypnosis sessions and the moment I’d start counting up to five, bringing my clients to full awareness, he’d get up and stretch. For so many, Toby was a therapy dog without the professional credentials!
Toby had a stroke on Easter Sunday and since then his health started declining, did not eat properly or could not hold his own. I found a way to place pads, changing him seven to eight times a day, only taking it off when I took him out for his walks. His legs started giving in, then vomiting, not holding food or water in. After all the tests, Toby developed mass of liquid in his body and lungs and that is why he could not keep food and water in. The vet would draw the liquid; he’d perk up for few days, then back to same. On his last day just two weeks ago, he looked at me with his loving eyes, started walking backwards, got sick and lay down moaning softly. I knew to save his dignity and free him of his pain, I had to do what was necessary and best for him.

So I held him in my arms while repeating what he had heard me say every single day… “Mommy loves Toby”.
I talk to him in his absence, I grieve – I shed tears, but at no time did it hit home till I read this poem that I am to share with you.

Blessings to all ‘animal lovers’
Liza

“If It Should Be”

If it should be I grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can’t be won

You will be sad, I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship take the test.

We’ve had so many happy years
That what’s to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer. So,
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they’ll tend.
Only-stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me.
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time, you, too, will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Do not grieve it should be you.
Who must decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years…
Don’t let your heart hold any tears

Here is a shout out to the best animal hospital, team of doctors and staff. Montrose Animal Hospital, Montrose CA. ****

After 11 years of going to the same vet, I was introduced to another veterinarian near my home, Montrose Animal Hosp. The difference of how they treat their furry clients, and us owners, was night and day.  Compassionate and caring!