I walked into the shelter

Just looking, I thought

Never expecting

To be found by you.

Passing your cage

You stuck out your paw

Beckoning over

And in that moment

It was just known

That you were meant

To be mine

And that I would be yours.

Four children

Two moves

Tragic losses

We weathered together.

As depression gripped me

And I spiraled in grief

You were my constant companion

Your presence so calming

My North Star in the storm.

Year after year

I watched you get older

Your body get frailer

And I knew that

Our chapter in life

Would soon come to an end.

The day It Happened

I wasn’t prepared

My heart wasn’t ready

To leave you behind.

But now you are gone

And I’m left with a chasm

A vast hole in my heart

That will never repair.

I think of the moments

In life that we shared

And reflect wistfully on

The unconditional love

Only a beloved pet

Can bestow.

In the days since I lost you

I’ve missed you so much

The days feel so empty

The hours stretch on

And since you’ve passed

Time has never

Passed so slowly.