Leash for Life History
The index page is getting a bit long these days. I wanted to move the various text that has appeared since Tache's passing for people to still be able to read.
The following is the original text of the email I sent:
To my friends and family
It
is with great sadness that I wanted to let you all know that my beloved Tache
dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning (11/27/05) at 4:48 AM PST.
Tache was one of those once in a lifetime dogs. She has left very big paws
to fill and her successor, when the time comes, will be fighting an uphill
battle. But I am sure the next generation will win my heart in other ways
unique to him or her.
You as my friends and family have witnessed the role Tache played in my life
and most understand that was no ordinary dog/owner relationship. I am clearing
out a place in my soul for Tache to live on and in so doing working on a small
space in my heart for the next generation.
I gave her the best life I could, wasn't all that pretty sometimes but we
were a team and as many have pointed out, she would not have had it any other
way. We traveled across this country and to Canada, we were homeless together
and she has been my rock and my support in far too many losses. And she has
comforted me through too many surgeries. I have done my best for her, sometimes
I know I came up short but she loved me nonetheless.
She was a part of the CASRA team. She became a part of the Sac State Criminal
Justice Department for a short time. We traveled by train frequently in the
later years, always a joy having her as company, better than any stranger
sitting in the seat next to you who won't stop talking. Tache enjoyed kayaking
with me and especially camping. She enjoyed car trips to g'pa and g'ma's house
and a couple plane trips. And she enjoyed life right up to the end despite
her blindness of the last year. This last year has not been easy but neither
of us would have it any other way.
If any dog ever knew how to leave this world in style with dignity Tache did.
She was surrounded by close friends and well cared for by a compassionate
veterinary staff until the end. She will be cremated and her remains will
be scattered in the right place, at the right time. I am priviledged to have
been her person.
Thank you Tache.
To my Leash for Life supporters (1/7/06):
I
could not have enjoyed Tache for the last year of her life without the support
and generosity of many, some of who I know and some of who are anonymous to
me. Donations were received from as far away as the UK and Canada to as near
as the SF Bay Area where we live. I am forever grateful for these donations
that significantly helped to cover Tache's care and the supportive emails
we received. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough but will have to do. Through
your generosity my Tache got the best until the end. I feel I am obligated
to help other dogs I will meet on my path as I am able, the first being a
Brittany pup named Heidi in Arizona being fostered by a wonderful family for
American Brittany Rescue. My contribution pales to what I have received and
I can only hope that over time I can pay it back to by passing the generosity
on.
Thank You
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