She ate a meager breakfast and she didn’t want to play.

I was ready to leave for work but her eyes begged me to stay.

They said, "I’m not afraid to travel now to my hereafter home,

I just don’t want to start the journey hurting and alone."

I called the vet for his advice, afraid of what he’d say.

"I’m not sure I can save her now, but bring her anyway."

The look upon his face told me it was just as I had known,

My best friend’s time on Earth was done, and soon I’d be alone.

"You have to make this choice for her," I heard a voice in my head say.

"Her suffering’s just beginning, but you can take the pain away."

I held her close and sobbed, for just how long I’ll never know.

I knew that she was hurting but I didn’t want to let her go.

My best friend had been with me on my very toughest day.

She was there beside me also when happiness came my way.

Her life had been so fleeting, this simply couldn’t be the end.

How could I say the words to close the eyes of my best friend?

Her body shuddered weakly, and she turned her head my way.

The look she gave me told me that she could no longer stay.

I’d start her on her journey to her fine forever home,

While I must wander this life without my best friend, all alone.

And yet, the peace that took her on that saddest, darkest day,

Did also touch my own heart, because to me she seemed to say,

"I’m sad that I must leave you for this brief time all alone,

But I’ll be waiting for you in our fine forever home."