I've often heard and read the question, "When do we know it's *time*?" ... Time to send our beloved friends to the Rainbow Bridge.

I was asking my guys this a couple of days ago.

Dorian, my 29 yo OTTB answered first.  His personal answer.

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It is the winter of my life.
My body is shrunken and the cold makes me weary.
Although the sun shines bright it is faded into shadows
Of years gone by.

It is the winter of my life.
I want time to say goodbye to my dear Friends
Who have so loyally stood by me during
Good times
and Bad.
Before the snow flies.

It is the winter of my life.
I ask only for a few more days
of warmth and blue skies and white clouds
stirring through the breeze.
I ask only for a few more hugs
and scratches along my old chin.

I'll take you for a few more gentle rides.
And we can melt into one, once again.
For memory's sake.

It is the winter of my life.
I don't want to say goodbye.
But goodbyes are never forever.

We shall meet again some day.
And you will ride with me like the wind.
In the sunshine with crystal blue skies and
meadows of flowers
and butterflies.

We shall meet again.
After winter has past.

~Dorian

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They let us know when its *time* ... if we listen carefully and thoughfully with the deepest love in our hearts.