The Light Has Left Your Eyes

I should have known that eventually this moment had to come.

But no one and nothing could have prepared me for the river of tears, the feelings

of emptiness, my brain had gone numb.

I remember the day I first saw you there in the pet store window, having to choose

from you or another... into my lap you pounced, licking my face; soon you were in

my arms...freshly bathed, wrapped in a blanket & wearing a bow.

For months you slept by my side, feeling safe snuggled in the curve of my arm.

All too soon you were grown, feeling that you were now the protector, making sure

I came to no harm.

Loving, loyal, playful furry friend...how the years passed, you were just shy of

fifteen when all life within you started to end.

Deaf for some time now, no longer able to hear my voice, suffered a stroke

leaving you stiff & wobbly, with stumbles & falls and ocassionally walking into the

wall.

You faithfully ate every bite I fed you with a spoon

how I wanted to turn back time for death had come for you way too soon.

Deciding to let you go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,

saying good bye to such a loving pet was breaking my heart.

I was unable to say those two words to you.

Looking into your face, I saw no more light, only blackness there behind a few tears

was all that was left there in your eyes.

You knew what must be done, wanting the pain and suffering to be over, somehow

finding the engery to walk to the car, heaving one final sigh.

They placed you on a small, blanket covered bed.

Tears flowed silently down my cheeks as I lovingly rubbed your sweet, fuzzy head.

I told you how much I had loved you, that soon you would hurt no more

as the vet came with the needles, she paused by the door.

I hugged you and you licked my hand

as I told you of a happier place, sunshine, endless dog bones, grassy parks, warm

sunshine...a special kind of "doggy land."

You placed your head on my arm as the needle slowly went in.

The vet said that you would sleep now...she gave us a few minutes alone before the

final process was to begin.

I watched you sleeping, beginning to snore...the vet was back now and she had

brought the final lethal dose.

The thick liquid disappeared slowly into your leg, your eyes rolled back, your head

fell over as your life was no more.

Taking home your empty harness seemed like some sort of bad dream

I wanted to wake up...but it was all true and everything is as it seemed.

Rest in peace, my sweet, precious Nickie...

I know you are in a better place for death is just another chapter in life; this is

how it has to be.