Your Pet Tributes

by Tom Martin
(Beaufort, SC, USA)

I am her human, she is my dog
We’ve “had” each other 14 years, 1 month and 1 week, but that’s not long enough.
(For me)
We met on the day she was born, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
(She doesn’t remember)
More a chocolate then, than the reddish-brown she became
When her eyes opened, they were purple,
Becoming golden as she grew.

Her eyes are cloudy, now, a little, but she can see well enough to watch a vagrant rabbit run across the back yard, pointing, as if ready to chase.
Her hearing mostly gone, I think, unless it’s just “selective,”
And she chooses to ignore what I ask, or say to her.
I tried to play “fetch” with her, but she preferred
“Keep away,” running with the ball or stick in the opposite direction,
Both of us loving every minute of it

When I threw a pine branch with needles; she would grab it,
Shake her head with it in her mouth, as if fighting a porcupine
I laughed with her, and at her, as she pounced around the yard,
Bowing low on her front legs, a smile on her face, ready to jump when I pursued

She is the most beautiful of God’s creatures I have ever seen - or known
I have loved her, maybe too much, but I don’t think that’s possible,
Knowing the love she has given me

I have to let her go now, her body worn with age and infirmities
(The ones we all fear)

I knew this would come, but not how to prepare for it

It’s easier for me to believe God is in Heaven for her,
Than to believe God is in Heaven for me
The Bible says nothing about “where pets go when they die”

My hope - that she’ll be there, in that Heaven,
And if I’m allowed entrance,
I’ll see her again

Godspeed Sam. I love you.