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.