Recently, I had to have my Maggie (a Maltese) leave me. It is true that the first feeling I have when I wake is that of emptiness. Everywhere I look, in all I do, I miss her every minute. The dardest and saddest ride I ever had to make was last Fri. As she sat in the passengers seat , not ever taking her eyes off me, I kept telling her I was going to make the pain stop while crying to the point I could rarely see the highway, petting her head every so often. It became surreal, driving to the Dr. as fast as possible, all the while not wanting to get there because I knew WE would be saying good-by and the lonely road home would only be for one of us.

The ST. Tammany Humane Society was amazing! No cold stainless steel table in a room with bright lights, but a special warm place not scary. They gave Maggie and me alone time so we could say our good-bys and shared kisses. Then the shot to stop the pain and put her to sleep. Just after the shot, she was placed in my arms and again everyone left the room, and privately, I felt her relax from pain and get sleepy, trying to tell her all my feelings as fast as I could. Then Dr. Johnson came in and finished. Maggie never felt anything. She was at peace!!! Again, I was left alone with her for the last time. She was cremated. Maggie wanted two things, for the pain to stop and to go Home.

This I was able to do for her-my last gift.

Ellen R.