1 of 79

Write now Article Tools

Page 4 of 4

be gradual, a matter of time, her heart would eventually fail.

Tally seldom played any more with her beloved Sheltie companion, being more content now just to sleep and feel and warm rays of the sun. Each morning though, with great effort, she'd amble over to greet me with a wag of her tail, and an occasional bark. And each day became more precious to us - for we both realized tomorrow might not come.

Then, one day in April, as I was about to leave my home, I heard an unusual sound - a pathetic, half-choked bark, cry. I went immediately to investigate.
Tally was trying to drag herself to her water dish, and her hind legs simply wouldn't cooperate. Gently, I put the water dish closer to her, then called her doctor.

" It's time, isn't it, doctor?" I asked as I choked back the tears.
"It may be, we can't tell yet. Let me take a look at her and make the decision for you," he gently suggested.

As I put her on the back seat of the car and made her comfortable, in my heart I knew this would be her last ride. No longer would she look excitedly out the window at the passing scene. I stroked her paw and talked to her as my friend drove the car. Tally knew. She was ready. The tears rolled down my face all the way to the vet's office.

Ever so gently we placed her on the examining table, and her trusted doctor petted her head and examined her. How can any other person take the responsibility off another's shoulders when it comes to the life or death decision of a beloved animal, but he tried. "It's time, " he quietly said. The attendant brought a paper for me to sign; I didn't even recognize my own signature, so difficult was it to put pen to paper to authorize this "thing" to be done. Yet how, in good conscience, could I allow my beloved Tally to suffer in pain even one more day just to selfishly have her with me? She trusted me to care for her. Now, I must make this awful decision and allow her to go and mercifully end her ordeal.

I held my beautiful Tally in my arms as the doctor put the injection in her arm. For one brief moment she looked at me lovingly then closed her eyes, and I felt her last gasp of breath as she went peacefully out of this world. She had been such a wonderful dog. She had brought seventeen years of happiness to those who knew her. She had been a dear friend who would be sorely missed. Her life with me had been good; now I must remember those good times we had together, for all things in this world are so temporary. We must savor our joys while they exist. Until we meet again, dear friend I love you, Tally.

Learn more about this author, Ramona Egan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Add your voice

Know something about Memoirs: My beloved dogs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!