I have been visiting and posting on bulletin boards since the old DOS days. (Some of you may remember that time - no pictures, no vb codes, all text posts). I have left many of those bulletin boards over the years. Sometimes it is just a matter of interests changing, but sometimes it is because they become almost painful to visit due to trolls, or flaming posts, or something of that nature. I have never posted a goodbye thread, I just quietly posted less and less and then never posted again.

That being said - I really can't imagine leaving PT entirely. I might have to take a break due to a heavy work load, a busy time at the shelter or a personal issue - but I think I would always come back. Mainly because Karen and Paul do an excellent job of moderating this board. They allow people to express their opinions and differences, but maintain the family atmosphere of this board and do not allow things to get out of hand. Another reason I would probably never leave entirely is because my interest in my animals is never going to go away. Through the years it has just gotten more important to me.

If I did leave, it would definitely be quietly - and since I am not as much of a regular poster as some people here, my absence would probably not illicit a "where is she" thread. That is not a play for attention - it is just that sometimes my life gets very busy and it is not unusual for me not to post for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. So leaving would not be a "close my account and remove myself", but rather a "don't have much time and something has to give".

There are people here that I would want to touch base with every once in a while, so I would leave my account open and check back periodically.