Smokey

 

Star quality

Was that your big wolfy ears

I saw, in my dream,
poking out of the green bush

at dusk?

Your time has gone by too fast.

How you loved fishing and camping 

with your people.

You barked each fish into the boat,

then sniffed and kissed  it,

to welcome it aboard.

You had your own camp chair

around the fire. You loved

your life, and we love you.

Your legs are failing you, now.

Our hearts are sad
that you are in pain. But
once we set you free,
we promise

you will live forever in memory,

a wolfy boy, with a big presence,
who gladdened

all our lives.

Smokey laughing

Sadly, my granddog Smokey's hind legs are failing him. That time is coming soon, the one we dread, the hardest time of all, when we set him free. Like Pup, he has a big, wolfy, hilarious presence that only he can fill. He has lived a wonderful life, fishing and camping with my son and daughter-in-law.  So glad he had that. So sad it is nearing its end.

for Shay's Word List.