Taia - Always My Little Girl
by Sid
(San Rafael, California, USA)
Taia
Last Thursday our little girl passed away just one day shy of her 15th birthday.
We were together from the time she was about 6 weeks old. She was in kidney failure and I made the most agonizing decision of my life to help her let go.
Taia had the kind of personality that lit up a room. She was her own being and did things her way. As a Lhasa Apso, she was always guarding us and letting strangers know she was on duty.
She was filled with curiosity, always checking to see what was in shopping bags we brought home and was not shy about telling us when she was hungry or needed a treat.
She would gently lick our hands or our feet as if to mother us and would scold us with an aloofness if we were late in getting home or having her dinner ready.
If you mentioned a car ride she was down the stairs before you could even get started.
I moved from Canada to be with my wife and Taia and I drove together with a car full of belongings about 2300 miles. It was wonderful to have her with me and to share motels and experiences along the way - she was more curious than me!
We don't have children and she was every bit our little girl, our daughter. God's cruel trick is that his animals give you such unconditional love and happiness at the expense of a short life.
The tears have not stopped. The house seems so empty and we struggle to make sense of it. 5 wonderful years and in an instant she is gone!
We will cherish her memory forever. All the wonderful loving times she gave us... the security she brought us with her kindness and devotion.
Someone gave me the following and I am sorry I cannot identify the author but I wanted to share it...
A Dog's Prayer
To Those Who Love & Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go- I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess- How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have each shown.
But now it is time I traveled alone.
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted by trust,
It is only for a while that we must part, So bless the memories within your heart,
I will not be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can not see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".
Rest in peace little girl knowing that our love for you will never cease. We miss you more than life itself.
