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;void(0)) It was with great sadness that on November 10, 2003, I made the painful decision to euthanize Echo, our 12 year old female greyhound--"My Sweet Baby Girl". ;void(0)) One day, in May I came home to find her standing holding up her right front leg as if she was in great pain. I rushed her to our vet who x-rayed her and found a bone cancer tumor which went all the way through her leg and shoulder. After mobilizing her leg and shoulder it was decided that she needed to stay the night at the hospital where she could be given pain medication. Early the next Morning I picked her up and took her to a specialist. I was told this cancer spreads quickly; usually to the lungs, and there was nothing they could do to stop it. I asked the vet to x-ray her heart and lungs to see if the cancer had already spread. The results came back showing her heart and lungs were free of cancer and looked healthy. They operated on her shoulder, putting in pins to stablilize it. ;void(0)) She got around rather well for a few weeks after the operation until her leg began to swell very badly to the point where she was dragging it and could barely move. Back to the specialist we went to get more x-rays. At that time I was informed that the cancer had spread to the soft tissue in her leg. I was given the decision to amputate or euthanasia. I had seen many dogs who did very well on three legs, so I couldn't let here go without trying everything they could for her, so the operation began, praying that the cancer would be gone with the loss of her leg. After weeks of pain, discomfort, and learning to balance on three legs she was bouncing back. Walking, almost running, jumping up on the bed again like she used to (She slept beside me). I thought we had won this battle. She was so brave and had been through so much. I was so sure I had done the best thing for her. ;void(0)) How quick life changes in a matter of moments. The weekend of November 7th brought Echo's will to survive to an end. She was staggering, panting heavyly and was in great pain. By the time I rushed her to the emergency vets, she couldn't get up or walk and was crying with pain. They took her in on a stretcher to do tests and make her comfortable. She never got up on her feet again. They cared for her all weekend, giving her pain medication and fluids to keep her hydrated because she couldn't eat. I visited her each day spending quiet time with her telling her how much everyone who knew her loved her and how she had changed my life with her love for me and everyone she came in contact with. ;void(0)) I picked her up that Monday morning and went to the specialist. Her big beautiful, caring heart was still healthy, as well as her lungs. They found a mass in her spinal cord that had not been found before. Asked to decide what to do, I wanted to take her home and not let her go. But I knew she had lost her fight and I could not let her suffer. She had overcome so much and fought so hard and was now tired and couldn't live like this. I wasn't ready to let her go, we had been through so much, but when she looked at me, I knew I had to. She was ready and calm even though I wasn't. It was my turn to give to her as she had given so much to me. I had to let her go. My friends who loved her as much as me were there when I brought her home. I was there holding her, telling her how much she was loved when she slipped away. My friends and I talked of all the blessings and sweetness we received. All of the love and devotion over the years. Through all the pain, heartbreak, and tears we knew that in the end we were able to give Echo the unselfish love and devotion that she had given for twelve years. Goodbye "Sweet Baby Girl" --you will always be greatly missed and loved!  Days after Echo's death, we received this poem in a card from a friend and we believe this poem to be from Echo to us and would like to share it with all of you. I STOOD BY YOUR BED LAST NIGHT I CAME TO HAVE A PEEP. I COULD SEE THAT YOU WERE CRYING, YOU FOUND IT HARD TO SLEEP. I WHINED TO YOU SOFTLY AS YOU BRUSHED AWAY A TEAR, "IT'S ME, I HAVEN'T LEFT YOU, I'M WELL, I'M FINE, I'M HERE." I WAS CLOSE TO YOU AT BREAKFAST, I WATCHED YOU POUR THE TEA, YOU WERE THINKING OF THE MANY TIMES YOUR HANDS REACHED DOWN TO ME. I WAS WITH YOU AT THE SHOPS TODAY. YOUR ARMS WERE GETTING SORE. I LONGED TO TAKE YOUR PARCELS, I WISH I COULD DO MORE. I WAS WITH YOU AT MY GRAVE TODAY. YOU TEND IT WITH SUCH CARE. I WANT TO REASSURE YOU, THAT I'M NOT LYING THERE. I WALKED WITH YOU TOWARDS THE HOUSE, AS YOU FUMBLED FOR YOUR KEY. I GENTLY PUT MY PAW ON YOU, I SMILED AND SAID "IT'S ME". YOU LOOKED SO VERY TIRED, AND SANK INTO A CHAIR. I TRIED SO HARD TO LET YOU KNOW, THAT I WAS STANDING THERE. IT'S POSSIBLE FOR ME TO BE SO NEAR YOU EVERYDAY. TO SAY TO YOU WITH CERTAINTY, I NEVER WENT AWAY. YOU SAT THERE VERY QUIETLY, THEN SMILED, I THINK YOU KNEW, IN THE STILLNESS OF THAT EVENING, I WAS VERY CLOSE TO YOU. THE DAY IS OVER...I SMILE AND WATCH YOU YAWNING AND SAY "GOOD-NIGHT, GOD BLESS, I'LL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING." AND WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, FOR YOU TO CROSS THE BRIEF DIVIDE, I'LL RUSH ACROSS TO GREET YOU, AND WE'LL STAND, SIDE BY SIDE. I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO SHOW YOU, THERE IS SO MUCH FOR YOU TO SEE. BE PATIENT, LIVE YOUR JOURNEY OUT... THEN COME HOME TO BE WITH ME.  ;void(0)) ;void(0)) On May 31, 2005 my big beautiful Taz passed over the rainbow bridge. He is with his best friend Echo now. He had a gentle soul a big heart and a great sense of humor. ;void(0)) He waited each day for me to play his favorite game – soccer ball. If it was cold, dark or raining he had to play. If I wouldn’t go out with him he went and played alone, always making me laugh watching him. His first 3 years were spent alone and bored in a cage, being moved from one racetrack to another. I had Echo when we found him, and it was love at first sight! He followed her everywhere and learned all of the things greyhounds know nothing about, like steps, glass doors, soft beds and cookies (biscuits). He was so happy to have a friend like her; someone to love and care for him. He had the freedom to run and play and sleep when he wanted to. Taz was so lost and sad when we lost Echo. He wouldn’t eat or play ball and mourned her going as much as I did. ;void(0)) Like Echo, Taz was 12 when the vet discovered bone cancer in his front leg. I knew he could not and would not want to go through what Echo so bravely did. He started limping, couldn’t play with his ball and was on mediation for pain, which got worse each day. One morning he looked at me and I knew. He didn’t get up and wouldn’t eat or drink. I wasn’t ready to let him go. Our vet came to our home so I could be there to with him in his own bed. It had only been 6 weeks since we found out; and he was gone too suddenly. I couldn’t let him suffer and fight a loosing battle like Echo for only a few more months of life. He was his big handsome healthy looking self, hard to realize something we couldn’t see would take him so quickly, which made it even more difficult to let go. I will remember all of the unique and wonderful pets who have shared their lives with me. I am comforted knowing they will all be there to greet me when it is my time to leave. ;void(0)) Did I have the right to make this choice that would change our lives forever; did I have the will to sacrifice our precious time together? Was I wrong in thinking of myself while you grew so frail and weak; was I selfish in my desperate need to have you here with me to keep? Into your bright eyes I searched and found within your soul, the echo of a far-seen wisdom the kind which only angels know. You gently rocked my broken heart and with angelic calm you lifted all the quilt I felt for wanting to hold on. You showed me that the choice with which I felt so wrecked and torn lay upon a path God paved the day that you were born. Somehow you made me understand the choice was never mine, it had been appointed long before, in another place and time. So as I lay you down to sleep your eternal spirit shines and our paths will cross again someday littlest angel of mine. And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then, will you do what must be done, For this, the last battle cannot 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, What is to come, can hold no fears, You would not 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 until the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer can see. 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 decided this thing to do. We’ve been so close, we two, these years, Don’t let your heart hold any more tears. (unknown author)  ;void(0)) MY SPECIAL ANGEL ;void(0)) She never met a person she didn't like and showered them with her happy attitude and attention. Everyone who met her was made to feel special in her company. She was 4 1/2 years old when we brought her home and we only had her with us 4 years, but she brought joy to so many. ;void(0)) I noticed her loosing weight and acting a little listless. The vet examined her and did a blood workup. He referred us to a specialist to confirm and treat her for inflammatory bowel disease. They did a biopsy on her intestines and confirmed this. We were told they could control this with diet and drugs but could not cure it. Every 7 to 10 days she had to go for blood work while adjusting her many medications. The steroid that she was taking had to be at a low dose. Even the vet said how good and patient she was through all of the painful and uncomfortable testing. Also, special prescription dog food - nothing with any fat to upset her stomach. She gained the weight back and looked like she felt better at last. Months later I noticed swelling around her throat and neck. Her salivary glands had ruptured. They removed one and soon after that another one did the same thing. They removed that and soon the other side ruptured - three operations in a row. Each time she went to the vet, she still was so good and let them do what was needed to help her. She looked good but needed to drink alot of water. I just wanted her to have a break from health problems and be her sweet, happy self. ;void(0)) She would run to the "cookie", dog biscuit box when anyone came in, do a little dance and expect a cookie. She always got one. I would sing "You Are My Special Angel" to her and rub her bloated and bruised tummy gently - she would always smile and relax for awhile. She never lost her sweet, gentle ways. On a Thursday night and the next morning she wouldn't eat. The vet said her spleen was enlarged and her liver was shutting down. The steroids had done their damage. Saturday morning the vet came to the house, I knew she could not smile and love much longer. She passed fast and didn't suffer. Much too fast for me and everyone who had ever met her. There is another beautiful "ANGEL" crossing the rainbow bridge to watch over me. She will never leave my heart.| Return Home | Service & Prices | Pet Photo Urns, Keepsakes, & More | Pet Keepsake Jewelry | Pet Memorials, Markers, & Keepstones | Pet Bereavement, Prayers, & Poems | Taz, Echo & Angel's Memorial | Pet Rescue & Adoption Links | FAQ Page | Contact Us | |
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