Filed under: events | Tags: animal rescue, dogs, homeless animals, memorial day, shady, shadytales, TGTB, this good that bad
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. ~Joseph Campbell
Happy Memorial Day!
TGTB wishes you a safe and happy Memorial Day. Please take pause during your festivities to remember our country’s brave heroes. While this day is for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, we hope that you will remember them and everyone who gives of themselves to make the world a better place every day.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. At TGTB, we will also be wishing for relief for those in our country who have been suffering from Mother’s Nature wrath recently and to all those who have come to their aid. Last but not least, we say THANK YOU to those of you who are giving up your weekend for the animals–working adoption events, fostering, volunteering, caring for your own or other’s pets or ferals and donating.
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ” ~Mohandas Gandhi
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Filed under: pet loss, Senior pets | Tags: aging pets, companion animals, dogs, Duke, euthanasia, labrador, pet grief, pet loss, pets, Senior pets, shady, shadytales
Thank you all so much for your kind comments (here and on our friend’s blog) and emails on our recent posts about aging pets and pet loss. We are sharing the condolences and advice directly with our friends who need it.
Here are a few of the most poignant remarks for you to share, in case you or anyone you know is dealing with this issue. As the first comment (from a very wise dog) suggests, knowing we are not alone can ease the pain:
Light a candle for the beloved pets that had to leave us behind at www.petloss.com
“I have noticed that when sad humans help others (with pet loss), the sadness alleviates some.”
“… I completely believe they tell us when it’s time, all we have to do is pay attention. I love how you have been saying about making the decision to take away our pets pain and take it into our hearts and let them go. It’s a beautiful metaphor.”
“Our pets, with their short lives, are our Beloved Heartbreakers.”
“May you feel some consolation that you labored with love for him and he knows it.”
“…I dread the day I have to make a decision. I know they will help me.”
“As you described above, the good-bye time, if you are lucky enough to have it, is a treasured memory. Thank you for offering support to others and tackling this difficult subject. Typing through early morning tears…and grateful for all the memories.”
“Duke will never leave you as he will always be in your heart.”
“We snuggled on the bed with him one last time… told him heaven doesn’t have pain… we told him how he would again have his strong muscles that he lost months ago.”
“and now they are free from pain and we will see them again one day!!”
“I’ve lost my share of animals and know it feels like we lose a piece of (ourselves). “
The final remark from Linda, who lost her Duke less than a week ago and inspired these recent posts, sums it all up pretty well:
“as hard as it’s been I wouldn’t change anything for the world… I will love him forever.”
Filed under: pet loss, Senior pets | Tags: aging pets, dogs, euthanasia, labrador, old cats, old dogs, pet grief, pet loss, shady, shadytales
Mom and I have been sorting through a stockpile of new pet stories to tell. We are setting those aside yet again to address a theme we have heard a lot more about this week than we’d like. Most pet owners face this particular challenge at some point and it is one they claim to understand going in. Then when it happens to them, they realize they had no idea what they where in for.
Initially I felt this was more of a people-thing than an animal thing, so I asked Mom to take this post on. Two of her friends are dealing with this question this week. They are both handling things differently and each with equal amounts of compassion and grace. The specifics of that are not important though, not today anyway. I’ll let Mom finish up from here.
Thank you, Shady. The dilemma Shady refers to is, “How do you know when it is time to let your pet go?” After a lifetime of loving and caring for your best furry friend, families have always heard that they will know when, but HOW will they know? In an instant it seems, usually after a vet visit with a grim prognosis or just the inevitability of aging, subtleties and guidelines become important.
Though I started down a path with a list of unconventional insights I gained very recently, I am saving that stuff for another day. Anyone asking us this question needs some good information in a hurry. No time for lists. We are no experts, but we can tell you with certainty that if you have this question to begin with, it probably is NOT time yet so read on…
Q. How do you know when it is time to let your best friend go? What are the signs?
A. You will never fully let them go, so stop trying. Your pet is part of your family forever. Don’t be afraid to take a little time to prepare for the burden of taking on their pain. Freeing their bodies to rest in peace and agreeing to carry this pain for them as you miss them will last forever. The short time in between is a gift and your dog or cat may need this time as much as you do.
A dog that trusts you enough to let you see his changing needs is a gift.
Reward your pet’s trust, love and faith in you by demonstrating what every pack animal needs to see from their leader when they are stressed; strength and protection. The decision of “when” is not always black and white so don’t be afraid to see the shades of gray as you search for the “signs.” Consider that animals may not pine for lost youth the way people do. If they are pain-free they may take great joy in aging quietly with you and in the security of their own home for longer than you realize.
Or not. There is a risk of waiting too long but it can be managed. Unless you are far removed from vet care, you will be able to do what is necessary in a timely manner if things change suddenly. You know this about yourself; do not doubt your instincts.
To be further assured of this simply tune in to your pet by spoiling them (more than usual) any way you can manage. This level of attention and support may not be possible long-term but short-term it will tell your pet clearly; it’s okay to show me what you are feeling.
Why do you need to convey this to you pet? Because they are waiting for a sign too. Shady and I figured out that she is wrong; this dilemma is not a “people only” thing. Pets want to know when their best friend is ready to let them go. They don’t want to let you down and they will fight hard not to abandon you before they know you are going to be okay.
Accepting a pet in their new state of frailty (and I am not talking about any extenuating methods of care that are outside of your reach, here) will reassure them. As you brace yourself for the inevitable you will be comforted with memories of a proper goodbye.
Don’t underestimate your need for that memory. Lack of it can overshadow all later when you are grieving and make the loss much more intense. Find a boundary you and your pet can share so you both endure the least amount of suffering possible as you wait for the right time.
Adoption Good,. Homeless Bad. Dog Eared Tales author Shady is the newest and rarest designer breed of all dogs…a “blogdog”. Well, okay, she is actually an 9-year-old Labrador and co-founder of http://www.thisgoodthatbad
Filed under: animal rescue, events | Tags: animal rescue, Chaucer, companion animals, dogs, golden retriever, homeless animals, shady, shadytales, TGTB, this good that bad
As you probably already know, we are inviting readers to revisit some old posts while we prepare new pet adoption tales to tell. We started by offering a chance to win some free pet adoption car magnets and reintroducing you to Chaucer, a golden retreiver who was our most popular blog subject ever. His Mom Nicole was kind enough to send us this more recent follow-up photo.
Chaucer found his happy ending and rode off into the sunset. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Chaucer's Happy Ending
It’s not too late to get in on the contest…leave a comment here or on Chaucer’s original post and be entered to win a free pet adoption car magnet.
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Filed under: animal rescue, events | Tags: animal rescue, Chaucer, companion animals, dogs, golden retriever, homeless animals, shady, shadytales, TGTB, this good that bad
Thanks in part to all your recent support and generosity, Mom and I are ready to start telling tales again. We hope you will join us as we begin by looking at past success stories. What a year it has been! As we gear up to tell all the new tales we have stockpiled …we will be giving away some prizes. We’d like to reward your patience and reintroduce ourselves with some pet adoption product giveaways.
Almost one year ago to the day we got to meet Chaucer, an exceptional rescue dog that beat the odds and found his way into his perfect forever home. Chaucer might not have looked the part of an adoptable dog but you can read his “Tale and a Half” here to find out how it happened for him. Chaucer has the honor of being the subject of our most popular blog post EVER, with more hits to date than any other dog tale we have told.
Chaucer, helping out with lunch. Seriously, is it any wonder his story is our all time #1 most read post?!
If you have a dog or cat tale to that needs to be told please allow us the privilege of telling it from my unique dog perspective and contact us directly here.
"This Dog" -one of the car magnet designs.
Adoption Good,. Homeless Bad. Dog Eared Tales author Shady is the newest and rarest designer breed of all dogs…a “blogdog”. Well, okay, she is actually an 9-year-old Labrador and co-founder of http://www.thisgoodthatbad.com This blog is not really about her though; it is a spotlight for many formerly homeless dogs and cats. Although she is a pampered pet-store-purchased pup, she hopes to raise awareness about pet rescue and adoption through her stories and experiences with rescue and her fundraising product line at www.thisgoodthatbad.com.
Or maybe our "That Cat" magnet is more your style?
