Sallie has gone over the Rainbow Bridge

Softly, as she goes to her final rest
 
Softly, as she goes to her final rest
Lying on the blanket we have put down
We hold her, and tell her we love her
 
Kissing her and holding her, as trustingly
She accepts the needle into her unfeeling,
Paralyzed leg
 
She slumps, not so much physically
As mentally, she is no longer there
 
So fast, so rapidly I do not have time to say
A final last second goodbye, yet I am
Crooning 'I love you, you are a good dog,
Good girl'
 
As she passes on into the unknown-
 
Does she still hear me? I am told hearing
Is the last to go (how do they know)?
 
Now come the stages of grief - did she feel
Our guilt at cutting short her young life-
Does she know it was because of the pain?
(Which we cannot feel, but can discern from cries
And falling down when she tries to walk and run)
 
Can we, I, come to grips with knowing
She had moments of joy and love amongst
The other?
 
Which outweighed the question of life or death
In our godlike majesty
The burden of being able to decide such things
Is too heavy.
 
I go back into the room alone
And kiss her goodbye
 
I never want to go this way again.
 
Sallie
 
Feb 4th, 2005 – July 26th, 2006
 
 
Cole Cordray
August 15, 2006
 
 
 
 
 

Oh Cole ,
that is so beautiful, I am so sorry about Sallie.

Cole, she knew how much she was loved.  I am as sure as sure can be.
<<>>

Dearest Cole, I read this with tears in my eyes.
I know how strong your love is for Sally and believe me, she truely knows it. She is watching down on you and thanking you for sending her to a place where she is free to run the meadow without a stitch of pain. You two have an incredible love for eachother and that will carry on forever. I know how much you deeply miss her but please remember, you were blessed to have been given such a special gift even if it was for just a short time. Without her, you would never have know the love that you two have shared. You have given her the best life and she is forever grateful.
Rest assured, your beautiful "Heart Dog Sally" is waiting very patiently for Daddy.
(((hugs)))

I wept reading this - it's always SO difficult to make this choice and I can't imagine what it was like to be faced with it SO much sooner then anyone would have anticipated.
 
It wouldn't hurt so much if they didn't bring us such joy...
 
Sallie loved and was loved - she knew it and felt it - I am sure of it.  If we can all feel it at a distance over the internet, then she surely felt enveloped and comforted by your love always.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Cole, she knew how much she was loved.  I am as sure as sure can be.
<<>>

 
Me, too

I am overwhelmed by all of you and your wonderful support. This is truly a site of love and caring. I will always remember you and someday I hope to present you with my new partner, whom God has not introduced me to yet.
 
Thank you so very much, group.
 
cole cordray
[email=colecordray@msn.com]colecordray@msn.com[/email]
[email=cole.cordray@umcd.army.mil]cole.cordray@umcd.army.mil[/email]
 

Cole - that poem was beautiful which made me cry.  It brought the memory of Januray 10 when our cat was helped over.  Oh how I know your pain, the anguish of picking up the phone and calling the vet (I did it several time before I could even speak to the receptionist, sobbing unable to speak).  Jan 10 was my hubbys birthday, but I could not put the cat through another day of pain.  You were very strong to do the right thing.  Yes, he slipped away before I could say my last "I love yous" like you and Sallie.  Onyx could not walk anymore like Sallie.  But we have to love them so much to help be released of their pain.  And the emtyiness of the house, the empty bed, the empty food bowls, so hard to bear.  Just when I thought God would give me a break, He takes my Dog on July 11.  I think God knew I could not make that phone call again, so He stopped her heart at home and off she went to the Bridge, leaving me in a world of hurt.  I have never wailed like that before but my heart was ripped out.
    Cole you may want to read the other thread we have going "how to deal" about how several of us are getting along in the days after.  The crazy things we do that only another grieving guardian understands.
     I can only repeat what the others tell me, that time will heal us...