Saturday, April 10, 2010

TaiChi, 1991-2010


TaiChi crossed the Rainbow Bridge last night at about 3am. She was sleeping comfortably and surrounded by her family. She did me the ultimate favor of deciding for herself when she was going to leave us, rather than forcing me to make the decision for her.

As you know, TaiChi had been struggling with her health for a while, and it seemed as though the drive to southern Utah had taxed her even more. Yesterday it was at the point that I had called a local vet and was prepared to bring her in to say goodbye, but within a half hour of making the call she had rallied and was up walking around, eating, drinking, and very alert, making it clear that she wasn't quite ready to leave us yet. She had a good dinner of steak and got lots of snuggie time with me and her sisters. She left us quietly in her sleep - her final act of "I'll do what I want to do, when I want to do it". Stubborn old lady! ;-)

She will, of course, be sorely missed, but I feel very lucky to have had her in my life for the 6 years that I did.

Run free, my beloved girl!



53 comments:

Kari in Alaska said...

I am so sorry for your loss. TaiChi lived a long, lobved life

koko said...

Sorry to hear about TaiChi's crossing... godspeed. She will be missed and cherished in our memories.

Run free, TaiChi, run free.

Licks, hero

Piappies World said...

We are very sorry to hear the sad news about Tai-Chi. Thank you for sharing with us her adventures though we were not able to be with her for so long. We will keep on reading about her in your past posts to see more good memories you have with dear Tai-Chi.

Run free over the Rainbow Bridge, dear friend, Tai-Chi...

-Fudgie, Princess & the Piappies

BRUTUS said...

Our thoughts are with you. So much like my experience last fall with old Duncan, your post about TaiChi brings back many memories. So wonderful that you were all there for her to love and comfort her as she crossed the bridge. Maybe she can hook up with Duncan across the bridge - I bet they could really stir things up together!

Hugs,slobbers, and Frenchie Kisses-
Michelle, Mason & Brutus

Molly the Airedale said...

We're so sorry to hear about TaiChi. We're going to miss hearing about her in your postings. We love our Senior pups!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Mom and I enjoyed our exchanges with woo on Friday night about TaiChi -

In fakht, she's smiling now thinking of them!

We are glad she held true to the end and left on her terms - she gave all of us a special last day to remember!

We'll light a khandle fur her and look fur her star tonight - it is beaWOOtiful khlear (albeit it snowless here in PA)so we'll be able to spot her!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Her Mom

bichonpawz said...

I'm so sorry to hear of TaiChi's passing. We knew she wasn't doing so well lately. Hope your memories bring you comfort during this difficult time...she had a long and wonderful life with you and your family. Hugs from Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug (and Zippo)

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

So sorry for your loss. I am so glad that things went as they did and that the sweet one went under her own terms. Another woofie angel at the bridge.. Hugs GJ xx

1000 Goldens said...

Dr. Liz - I was so sad when I saw the title of your post in my reader. I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear friend :( I'm sure it will be hard for Fiona and Abbey to understand too. Hang in there and we send you lots of love! Take care. Love Farley and his Momma

Amber and Nala said...

We are so sad for your loss but glad that you didn't have to make that awful decision. TaiChi must have been one stubborn lady indeed and also loved you very much, I'm sure. We hope your hearts heal soon.

Nala & Amber

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. I loved Tai Chi. She reminded me so much of Maggie in her 'tude. I'm so happy she was with you and had a memorable last day. that's so important.

warm wishes from all of us.
wild dingo, loki and juno

Sally Ann and Andy said...

We are sorry that she had to move to heaven. She loved her life, and she wouldn't had left;if, she didn't absolutely have too. She was happy and loved. Mommy's first little dog was a poodle who lived and died in a similar way. Coco, the afore mentioned poodle, was 16 when he moved to heaven.
Sally Ann

Dexter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dexter said...

TaiChi had a great life with you and got to see Fiona taking over the role of big dog after little Abby came to stay.

TaiChi was a bad sport of the most adorable type as well. She will be missed.

Slobbers,
Mango

Martine said...

We are glad you were able to have Thai Chi in your life, we know the pain of losing our beloved pets and will keep you in our prayers.

xo martine & the kiddlets

Jans Funny Farm said...

We read about Tai Chi on Mango's blog and came by to leave a note. We know how hard it is when one of the furries leaves for the bridge. Purrs and tail wags.

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear about Tai Chi. It's always so hard to say good-bye. She was very lucky to have lived the life she did for the last 6 years, surrounded by such love. Our hearts are with you.

Run free, Tai Chi.

Amber and Mayzie

Clive said...

We are so sorry to read about Tai Chi! We're thinking of you all.

lots of love
Clive and Murray

pam said...

Oh Venerable One, God speed onto your next journey.

Bobo and Meja

Lorenza said...

I am so sorry to know about TaiChi.
She did it how she wanted, when she wanted. She will be in our hearts forever.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Unknown said...

Oh Fiona! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to visit for ages - and then I just heard the news about Tai Chi!! I'm so sorry for your loss. Your humans must be very sad - although I must say, we smiled at the story of how she got her own way till the end! That is lovely for her to go peacefully in her sleep.

Thinking of you all -

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Moose said...

Oh no! I am sorry to hear it but very glad to hear that she went peacefully in her sleep. It seems like a nice gift too that she rallied a bit so you could have a last good evening together and be able to remember her enjoying life. Still I know she will be missed.
Hugs to your whole pack!
Moose & momma (& Bella)

Scout and Freyja said...

We are so sorry about your loss. There is never a good time to say good-bye to a loving friend. Please accept my sincere condolences.

D.K. Wall said...

We are so incredibly sorry for the loss of Tai Chi, but know that she loved her life with you. She is running now at the Rainbow Bridge healthy and happy. We have asked the member of The Herd that wait there for us to greet TaiChi and make her welcome.

We will light a candle for her.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Still suffering the hurt of having to put our sweet Java down, I think you are so fortunate that Tai Chi made the decision for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and you celebrate her life.

(((HUGS)))
Lynn

Ina in Alaska said...

Never stopped by before, but got the word about Tai Chi from Mango Momma. So sorry, and I see you got this little gal when she was already a senior citizen! We have adopted 2 seniors too, both also across the bridge, Porter, an apricot poodle - got him when he was 11 - and Ivy (aka Stinky) a sweet 15 year old Maltese. Ivy decided like Tai Chi when it was her time too. Very calm.

I know you will miss your precious girl, she was so beautiful and I am glad she had those years with you. xoxoxo

The Army of Four said...

We are so very sorry to hear of your loss! Run free, TaiChi!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Tail wags,
Storms

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

We are so glad the we knew TaiChi and know that she is running free!

Hugs from all of us!
Beth, Ed, Dory and even Bilbo

Shmoo said...

Run free TaiChi.
Our condolences

The gimpy gang

Raising Addie said...

:(

You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Chasing my tale...
Addie, Lucie and Hailey

Unknown said...

Bye bye my furiend. I will never forget you. This way I'll be sure to find you at the bridge. My family and I are devastated because you were our first really good furiend we lost. I am relieved to hear you left us with grace. It was the night before your mommy's birthday and strangely our beloved Rosie left us the night before our mommy's birthday. We love you, TaiChi and we'll see you soon. Lucky TaiChi and lucky family.
Twinkie and her family

Sunny said...

I'm so terribly sorry and sad to read of TaiChi's passing. May you be comforted by happy memories of the time you had together.
My sincere condolences.
Sunny

The Oceanside Animals said...

Sorry to hear about TaiChi. I'm catching up from being behind so I just read your motor home post a little while ago, which makes the TaiChi news more of a shock somehow. Sounds like she left the way any of us would want to go, at home, surrounded by those who love us.

Michele McLaughlin said...

(((HUGS)))) You are in our thoughts and prayers; what a gift to be at home with her when she passed on.

Heather and Pumpkin said...

I am so sorry to hear about Tai Chi. I really looked up to her and I will miss her.

xoxo
Pumpkin

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Our deepest condolence to you. Sorry for your loss of TaiChi. We know she was very much loved and cared for and that she had a great life with you.
RIP TaiChi.

Tucker said...

Sending Healing thoughts for your family. Sorry for the loss of TaiChi, may she chase my kitty brother Troubles that recently crossed the bridge.

woof - Tucker

Sierra Rose said...

We are so sorry to hear about TaiChi. What a love, and what a great life.
Rest in peace my friend.

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Brind'Amour Clumbers said...

Very sorry to hear of TaiChi.

{{{HUGS}}}

Brind'Amour

doyle and mollie said...

we are furry sorry, our bodi cat left us the same way, at home in our arms, no pain and it did add a lot of comfort to a very sad time - loves and licks

Lacy said...

sad woofs, soo sorry to hear about TaiChi's going to the bridge...going in a peaceful sleep is one of the best ways to go...such a bute ti ful girl...RIP TaiChi, run with the wind...

a sad,
rocky
bear
angel lacylulu
and mama..

Ruby and Penny said...

We are so, so sorry to here of the loss of your Taichi. Our hearts go out to you.
Love Ruby & Penny

Asta said...

I'm so sowwy fow youw loss
I wemembew Tai Chi fwom Mango Minstew and what a wondewful old lady she was..I'm so glad you had hew in youw life and now she is young again and wunning wif the wind
smoochie kisses

ASTA and Mommi

Daisy Dog said...

We are sorry about the loss of TaiChi, and know that she is running free at the bridge.

Anonymous said...

Im so sorry for your loss. Your baby left this earth with such grace. Now she is at the Bridge with all the other angels. Who knows she might even be chasing some of my beloved kitties that I've lost over the last year.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Paws & Whiskers,
Jude,Poo,Babybella,Piper & Marley

The Airechicks said...

We'll be sure to hold tight in our prayers and thoughts -

Thanks you so much for loving her and giving the best furever home.

We loved her at the Mangominster - she is a tough competitor.

TaiChi will always be with your family in your hearts.

XXoooXXoooXXXoooXXooo

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

TaiChi was an amazing dog...we will be keeping her and you in our thoughts and prayers...

It doesn't matter if our furry friends are young or old...they are such a part of our lives...it's so difficult when they leave us...

Healing barks,

Scruffy,Lacie, Stanny and Mumsie

Donna said...

Rest in peace.

Diana Chiew said...

We read from DWB News about TaiChi going to the Rainbow Bridge and came by to send our condolences. May TaiChi rest in peace.

Hi! I'm Sierra-Dog! said...

TaiChi will fondly be remembered in our hearts. Our thoughts are with you as you grief her loss. We feel lucky to have known her through your blog. Thanks for sharing all her wonderful pictures and antics. She always brought a smile to our faces.
Sending much luv,
Sierra-dog and her peeps

Tiffany and the Munchkins said...

We came over from Mango's blog. Although we didn't know TaiChi, we wanted to come over and say how sorry we are for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

Tiffany & the Munchkins

River said...

We are so sorry to hear about Tai Chi but happy that she had such an easy passing surrounded by loved ones. We send you our beagle love and hugs.

love & wags,
River & mom

HoundDogMom said...

We heard about Tai Chi crossing to the Rainbow Bridge from Mango's Blog. I know we never new Tai Chi but just wanted to seed some hounddog drool to you and your family.

Sniffs and Drool,
The HoundDogs.