When the Time Comes
If
it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this--the last battle--can't be won.
You
will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We
have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take
me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I
know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't
grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close--we two--these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
Please take a moment to say a prayer for precious Lassie. Her condition significantly deteriorated in the past few days, and we could not allow her to struggle any longer. Our sweet girl peacefully took her last breath this afternoon in the arms of her foster mom and Jenni, who have loved and cared for her since she entered rescue.
This is Lassie's story:
LASSIE was a very sweet 5-year-old spayed female, who was found resting on the front porch of a good Samaritan in mid January. Her owners could not be located, so Lassie came into our rescue program.
Lassie had a cancerous tumor in the roof of her mouth and sinus cavity, and it was pushing behind her right eye. There was nothing we could do to cure her. On February 5, she was placed in a foster home where she could live the rest of her life in comfort.
In her new home, Lassie played in a large, fenced yard with two Sheltie friends and chased squirrels for hours. She learned to use a doggie door so she could come and go at will. She enjoyed walks in the sunshine, rides in the car, lots of tummy rubs, and all the treats she wanted. Her appetite was good, and the medication she took for pain kept her comfortable for many weeks.
Lassie was a joy to behold. She pranced around the yard, head and tail held high, with that "show-dog-in-the-ring" spring in her step, much to the delight of her family. She was perfectly behaved and very intelligent, and she followed her foster mom everywhere. She was an amazing little girl, who captured the hearts of everyone who met her.
To Lassie's previous
owner:
Since you chose not to be there to comfort her at the end, we did this
for you. We made sure that she knew she was loved every minute of her
life, and we held her in our arms and told her how much we loved her as
she took her last breath.
We hope someone
will do the same for you when your time comes.