Leaving Part 1

There’s no right time to say that raw and weeping goodbye.

But you’ve been leaving for a while now.

Little by little, your steps faltered until you couldn’t manage anymore.

Your voice told me over and over yesterday that this was too hard.

So today you rode in the car, nestled into my arms to the place of farewell.

Did you know we were taking you to the place where pain would cease?

You quietly acquiesced into oblivion as we wept and stroked your

silky waves of doodle coat, as your heart stilled and suffering stopped.

#

I miss your cheerful wag and pokey nose nudging my leg

as you pass me by, or pause to lift your white face to my hand.

You won’t eat dirt anymore or chase those taunting squirrels along the fence

legs rigid and tail aloft in all your yammering glory.

I miss my travelling buddy, happy in the backseat,

our hikes at Gibson or you exploring with Hope at our adventuring places.

I miss you laying by the piano bench while I play

And really just you being anywhere I was my dear friend.

I miss you greeting everyone who came through our door,

standing, with your soft front paws on their legs,

smiling as they fell in love with you all over again.

And I especially miss you lying at the door when I walk in,

happy to see me, head lifted for a smooch.

I miss you finding me and telling me you want to go out

with your “owrrrr, owrrrr” gentle, growly voice.

I miss you so much, my sweet, gentle, beautiful, dear friend Dani

and am so thankful for the time we had together.