to the one I love...

“early in the morning, she gets up to let me out
and when she hears dogs barking, \"be quiet!\" she will shout.
by instinct she steps over me, though I\'m no longer there,
my bowl is in the kitchen, my leash hangs by the stair.
when she comes home from work now, there is no waving tail,
the house is dark and quiet, no barks from there assail.
she cannot walk the dark streets, without me by her side,
for years I did protect her, it was my joy and pride.
and when my senses failed me, no longer could I hear,
the footsteps of a stranger, or friend, as they drew near.
when I succumbed to illness, too weak to even stand,
I lost my joy in living - it\'s hard to understand -
she lay down right beside me, upon the cold, hard floor,
and saw I had no happiness in living, any more.
she sent me on one last trip, from which I won\'t return,
to receive one final mercy, to die, and then, to burn.
I charge her not with murder, for I had lost my pride,
my life was pain, not purpose, and so I gladly died.
I always will be near her, she is the one I love,
although my life is over, I\'ll watch her from above.
now I will stand and wait here, alert by Heaven\'s door,
\'til once again we can be together, evermore.
and when I see her coming, my barks will echo loud!
she is my one true love, of whose friendship I am proud.
on earth, her days are saddened, from grieving over me,
but I am grateful that, from my suffering, I am free!

Barney
December 31, 2004”

“I am very sorry for your loss. That was truly touching.
last edited: 12/31/04 7:12:50 PM”

“SOrry to hear of your loss, omahiker. When our pets no longer have any quality of life and they are suffering, it's a difficult thing to do, but one all of us who have pets must come to grips with sometime in our lives. I personally know how hard it is. Take joy in remembering the good times with Barney and know he is in a better place. My thoughts are with you.”

“sorry to hear about your loss : (”

“Sorry Omaha.

My wife tells me that living with another species, especially a dog, enriches us as people - can make us better people. The changes that take place when we love, guide and care for another who needs us stay with us for all time.”

“this past summer, i "lay down right beside me, upon the cold, hard floor,
and saw I had no happiness in living, any more." the last two nights of my ole buddy pirate's life. They really do appreciate having their spirits released from their ailing physical body.

you have expressed the experience so beautifully ...spirit and love never die.......my heart goes out to you~~~~”

“Beautiful, appropriate poem...

Sorry for the loss to you and your family, Omahiker.”