What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it.
*warning* get the tissues.
this poem helped me tremendously when I had to put my Smokey (cat) down in 04. I still get gut pain/twangs from missing him.
The Last Battle
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 to 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.
-- Unknown
I am just now reading this post. So sorry you had to put your furry friend down. I know how much that hurts. A few years ago I had to put my Siamese cat to sleep because of colon cancer. Folks here understand how you feel. We get so attached to our furry friends, because they become our family members. I don't think you ever completely stop grieving, but it does get easier.
I am soooo sorry you had to put her down.I too know what that pain is like. I had to put down 2 cats of mine. Morci was an orange tabby and looked just like Morris from 9 lives that's how she got her name. I her as a kitten from one of my nieghbors. She grew up with my boys and was part of the family. She was diabetic and that's why I had to put her down. I cried for 3 wks. My sister laughed at me. Insensitive thing.
Have you heard of "Rainbow Bridge"? That is a wonderful website.
My heart goes out to you. It is so difficult to give up one of our furry friends.
There was an old dog at the shelter....3 yrs ago...the vet said somewhere between 10 and 12. He had been shaved to the skin because he was flea and tick infested. It was a little lasapoo. He had one eye, no teeth and was going deaf.
No one wanted him so the shelter gave him to me instead of putting him down.
He stay with us for 3 yrs....pampered and loved. He passed abt a month ago.
I find myself looking for him. It hurts so bad. I also had two dogs pass withing months of each other abt 3 yrs ago. I still grieve.
You just want to scream and make it go away and turn to find them.
Sending you hugs on the day, terry