Smoke Gets In My Eyes

[doggiehowser]

Tara
18 March 2000 - 22 March 2013

My wife and I adopted Tara when we were in the UK and she came back with us when we moved to Singapore.

When we migrated to Australia, things were in a constant flux. She was already 12 years old and we weren't sure if she could survive the 28 day quarantine, with her being blind, deaf and nursing a bad hip. I had a job in Sydney while my wife was starting her PhD in Brisbane. So Tara stayed with my father in law in Singapore until we could sort out the living situation.

But when I finally quit my job in Sydney, we figured we could bring her to our new home to stay in Brisbane. So I was back in Singapore this month to get the documents and checks in order for the pet movers to bring her over. By this time, the weather in Sydney (the nearest quarantine centre to us) would hopefully be more benign we thought.

Anyway, I noticed she had a boil over her eyelid and thought to get it lasered off in case it got infected while in quarantine. As this required putting her under GA, they did a blood test and found the blood toxicity suggesting her kidneys were failing. So the op was cancelled and she was immediately put on a drip to clean her blood. Three days later her blood report was closer to normal so I brought her home.

But once home, she lost her appetite, and often vomited. Finally she stopped eating completely except for liver treats.

I brought her to the vet today and the blood tests showed that her kidneys just weren't capable of working any more and the numbers were worse than before.

I was told that a few days before I returned, she kept wandering into my old room and was crying inside.

I still don't know how she managed to have such a great appetite when I first returned. The vet was sure that with her blood urea nitrogen at those levels, she would have been vomiting and not eating at all.

I guess she knew inside her time was coming up and was just holding on to see me one last time.

Thanks to technology, I managed to FaceTime my wife so we could say our goodbyes.

On the way back, the radio was playing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. I couldn't help it.

Take care, my baby. You will be missed.

[KingRT]

That is horrible .

[Still-One]

I am so sorry.

They say pet owners have big hearts. That is because we never forget the ones we lose and have to make room to love the next one.

[jwhite613]

doggiehowser... So sorry for your loss.

[MyPal]

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is a classical emotional roller coaster. Tears & a smile. It is the smile that takes you back to that happy place with your friend again.

[bakerman]

Whether we like it or not, pets become a member of the family. They are with us in through the good times and the bad. With dogs, we can be the most horrible person to them or the greatest guy in the world and all they do is give us unconditional love. If people were more like dogs the world would be a better place.

Tara knew her time had come and she was waiting for you to come back to see her one last time. It's hard losing a loved one, but with time your heart will only carry the good memories and will empty itself of the sorrow.

I'm sorry for your loss...

[thxthx]

This is a very sad story... One that's close to home. I feel for you and I'm very sorry to hear of your loss

[jdandy]

doggiehowser.......I am so sorry to read this. It chocked me up and misted my eyes. You were a good owner. You saved her from the pound, gave her a good life, and she loved you as much as you loved her. God speed to doggie heaven, Tara.

[doggiehowser]

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

I took that photo after the vet gave us his findings. She was so tired she couldn't even finish the half broken treat I was trying to give her.

Tears I can not hide
Oh, so I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes

I'm looking back at some of our old photos of her. This brought a smile



We used to bring her for walks around the estate and while she always got along with other dogs, there was this Silky Terrier that always barked (or rather yapped) at her every time she walked past the gate. And without fail, Tara would stop and pee in front of the gate, as if to just piss her off

She was always feisty.

[f1 fan]

I'm sorry for your loss. I know all too well how you feel since I had to euthanize two of mine within the last 7 months. Thoughts are with you my friend.

Dave

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado