I can hardly see through my tears... today I sent my best friend of years and years 
somewhere he had to go, where pain and sickness he won't have to know.
He's been with me ever since he was a pup... today I've had to give him up.
He was sick, we both knew it and I wouldn't put him through it.

Thinking back to the day my wife brought him, I told her then that I didn't want him... 
"Noise and mess and bills to pay!" - I can't believe I felt that way. 
Didn't know that in the end, he would be my dearest friend. 
Didn't know that he would be the greatest gift that came to me.

How did one like me deserve a friend who wanted just to serve? 
What was there that made him love me, with nobody else above me? 
When I looked into his eyes, never did he criticize, 
never did he hold a grudge, never did he try to judge.

Recently, an anxious day. "How come you don't want to play?" 
Took him to the vet to see what might be wrong with my "puppy". 
Worse by far than I expected, fatal illness was detected. 
Nothing much that we could do but keep him comfy til he's through.

Back at home I tried to tell him of the bad luck that befell him
All I could see in his eyes was wondering why his master cries. 
I don't think he understood - his eyes just asked "Wasn't I good?" 
"How come now I make you sad? Let me kiss and hug you, dad!"

Two last weeks I had to try to find a way to say goodbye.
In that time I told him more than I ever had before
just how much I loved my pup, how it hurt to give him up.
How though gone, he'd always be inside my heart, a part of me.

Then today was no mistaking, I made the decision, my heart was breaking. 
I called and asked the vet to come by - I didn't have to tell him why. 
He arrived in a while and asked "Are you ready?"  I sighed, I nodded, I felt so unsteady.
Got down on the floor by my boy who was dying, and I just didn't care if the vet saw me crying.

As my pup slipped away, the last things he felt were the kisses and hugs of his master who knelt
On that "blankie" beside him to bid him goodbye, who had just one more minute to tell him, to try 
to say thanks to his boy for a lifetime of love...."Dear God, let me see him in heaven above! 
But for now Lord, please hold him, watch over his rest... 
if he wakes in Your arms tell him I love him best."

~ Copyright © 1996 by R. A. S. ~

Don't close the door...don't push me away
Why are you leaving? Don't make me stay.
Slow down the car, I can't keep up
This pavement is hot and my pads are cut.

I've got to quit running or my heart will pop,
Every muscle is aching...why didn't you stop?
I'm so hungry and thirsty...darkness is near
But I shouldn't leave...he will come for me here.

Several weeks have passed...I'm dead on my feet.
They call me a nuisance because I eat off the streets.
Every car that passes I chase it to see 
If it is my master coming for me.

Though I approach those that come near 
With trust in my eyes and no sign of fear, 
With hate in their voice and a cold, heartless stare
They threaten to kill me...they don't even care.

Batter my body with rocks that they throw
I will not leave, he will come...don't you know?
Overtaken by weakness my body is numb
I'm sick and so lonely...oh please!  let him come!

I will go back to where he first threw me out
I'll wait for him there...he will come, no doubt.
My thoughts are fading...my chest feels like lead.
I'm sleepy, so sleepy...I can't lift my head.

It's so quiet, so peaceful...all remains still.
There is my master at my home on the hill!
Yes!  I can see him...he's calling my name.
His voice is so gentle...his hands are the same.

He decided he wants me...things will be fine.
I really do love him...that master of mine!
My tail wags with pleasure...I can't catch my breath.
He came in my dream...but so did my death.

~ Gina Richey ~