Now begins
your last twenty-four hours.
You are curled on a fuzzy blanket
that you settled onto with a groan
and a long sigh.
You’re catching up on the sleep you missed
between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. when
you cried and howled and paced.
You struggle to rise and follow me
as I move through the house, still my shadow
even though it hurts to move.
You still wag your tail
though your hips cause you pain.
You still look up trustingly
with those cloudy white eyes,
so I will do my painful duty,
and give you sleep, free from pain.
After your final vet appointment,
tomorrow at this time.
I will bury you in the back yard
beside your brother, and we will weep
over the loss of another faithful dog
who shadowed us
with devotion.
.
Shawn L. Bird 
I am so sorry the time has come. It is so very hard even when you know you are doing right by your companion. Your poem sums it up very very well. God Speed.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry, our pets are part of our family, it just doesn’t seem fair that anything so loving could have such a short life. My thoughts and prayers are with you
We all know when we welcome those puppies that this day must come, but it doesn’t make it easier.
I know, again my thoughts are with you. I’ be been going through the same thing, it stinks!
It is heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet. You have expressed this experience so eloquently. I am glad we are able to do something about the suffering of these innocent animals who have loved us unconditionally, it is so difficult though, it hurts! thank you Shawn, ❤
Thanks, Hollie.
I’m so sorry. Here is a quote I’ve come across that helped me (and continues to help) during my grief over losing a most loved, great dog and friend. I hope it warms just a small piece of your heart today. “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gives me the gift of a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all parts of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” – Author Unknown
More tears.
Thanks for that.
Oh so beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Lorien.
That is a beautiful sentiment! Thank you for sharing it here, I might not otherwise have come across it.
Peace to all, Shawn.
Thanks.
You’re welcome.
((((hugs))))
Thank you.
You just made me cry.
Please tell me your doggie’s actually completely fine, and this isn’t actually happening.
Sadly, my 16.5 year old miniature poodle is now 21 hours from eternity.
Oh my god. I’m so sorry. Take care. Sending you hugs and love.
Thank you.
This is so well done. Peace to you and yours.
Thank you.
This read as painful…I am so sorry for your loss :((
Thank you in advance.
Oh god. This happened to us with our cat in November. I didn’t realize I had so many tears in me. The feeling of loss is indescribable, and the listlessness I felt as I waited for her to jump on my lap, as I listened for her toenails clicking on the hardwood floor, knowing these would never happen again yet still waiting for them…so difficult to bear. I send you hugs from across the continent, deep breaths, the comfort in remembering that the best of your relationship with this friend–the love you shared–will always remain.
So. Difficult.
The pain is so very real. I am sorry. Cherish the great memories
Thanks, Loyd.
Heartbreaking. I have no words. My condolences… 😥
Thanks.
The most selfless act of love, so painful yet so necessary. My heart goes out to you on this longest night. Take comfort in knowing you did the very best, in life and now beyond, for your beloved companion. Hugs.
Thank you, Liz.
Heartbreaking Shawn. I’m so sorry.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thank you, David. 16 hours and counting.
Hug.
Thank you.
You’ll see them again on the Rainbow Bridge. I am so sorry you are losing him.
He’s playing with his brother at the bridge.
breaks my heart – but you have to do it – been there…
😥
A very heartfelt poem about losing a faithful canine, I read one on Goodreads a little while back. I will find it when Ihave a moment. It is poignant.
Thanks, Leo.
An achingly beautiful tribute to a loyal friend.
Thank you, Tony
Hi Shawn, A very touching goodbye. They are with us for such a short time but a lifetime of memories they leave behind for us to remember and treasure. – Carol
Indeed. Thanks, Carol.
I feel this Ma’am, ’tis two months till the anniversary of the passing of my own belovéd companion, nine years and still I rue his passing ..
Well writ Ma’am, well writ ..
I’m sorry for your loss, Martin.
They dig holes in our hearts that never quite recover.
Shawn, I am so deeply sorry for your crushing loss. How heart-rending when Harmony our black lab passed away at 13 with cancer. It was over a year before I finally took down the screen-saver photo of her sitting on the floor between us at the dinner table, knowing she would get some of whatever we were having. Now, in another year or two we will face again a similar loss – Shadow, one of God’s choicest angels in the canine world. (Shadow appears regularly in my haiku.)
John Updike’s “Dog’s Death” and your poem “Last Day” are twin tributes to animals that assuredly DO LOVE their furless persons and are loved by them in return. I used to believe that Mr. Updike’s poem was the most magnificent testimony to the love between dog and human in all of literature. Now, I’m not so sure. Powerful and breathtakingly elegant, Shawn!
http://afewgoodpoems.blogspot.com/2011/03/dogs-death-john-updike.html
Thanks, Ron, I appreciate the compliment.
I spent several hours crafting another tribute poem for my Dusty Shadow last night, but I think it’s going to be a piece for magazine submission, so I won’t be posted it here. It’s always good to write something that you feel very satisfied with.
Shawn, this is beautiful…. (oh, and thanks for stopping by poemsperday recently.)
Blessings,
Len
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Len.
Thanks for stopping by.
Touched my heart😌😌
Thank you.
😇😇😇😇