And so I wake on the first morning
without my heart dog.
No thumping tail to greet me
No clicking nails tattooing down the hall.
No urgent woof encouraging me
No stinky kisses
to comfort me aching.
No rolling for a belly rub
with contended sighs and eyes blinking
nonchalantly, as if you were surprised
to find my hand caressing you.
No need to put my purse up high,
or guard food on the counters.
No rattling as you did dishwasher pre-wash.
No.
Only bits of fluff, still hiding in corners
after your last hair cut,
a hundred photos,
and a million memories of a sweet-tempered,
loving heart that beat with mine.
.
.
.
Oh, how I miss my boy today.
Shawn L. Bird 
You’ve had a difficult year, but the way you have embraced it through your poetry is both remarkable and inspiring. Thank you.
Thanks, Richard.
It’s the way I process, I suppose. Better to get it out than the brew it.
So sorry 💐
Thanks Jeni.
poignant
Painful.
Yes
I’m So sorry.
Thanks, Melody.
Clicking nails on a kitchen floor and a friendly wagging tail. Thanks for stirring similar memories for me.
Sorry?
I meant in a good way
🙂
I am sorry you have lost a furry family member. It sure hurts. I have lost many over the years and I remember each one with longing fondness.
I’m pretty sure I’d rather spend heaven at the Rainbow Bridge throwing balls than playing the harp. (Though I do like playing the harp, there won’t be any novelty in it). 😉
Heaven wouldn’t be heaven if we were bored. I am sure animals will be a part of it and there will be lots to do with them. I wish I could play the harp…or any instrument for that matter.
Take up an instrument! It’s fantastic for adult brain development to learn a new instrument!
Harps are a good one to start with- they sound lovely even played by rank beginners. 🙂 So much nicer than violin or trumpet! (Been there. Done that. Same kid!) You can often rent harps at your local music store (I can’t tell where you live, or I’d give you a recommendation). I started with the Teach Yourself to Play the Harp book by Sylvia Woods (a classic!) and a rental harp. After 3 months I found a used harp for my daughter. When she complained I was playing her harp too much, I bought a new one for myself. She stopped playing, and now I have two harps. 🙂
Bonus- when you’re wrapped around a harp, the sound waves do funky things for your cells (they align in interesting ways). It’s proven to be extremely healthy for you!
Thank you for the encouragement. I think I may try it.
How poignant. A beautifully written heartwrenching tribute for your beloved pet. We lost our precious cat who I inherited from my mother after she passed. It broke my heart. Thank you for sharing.
Ah yes, because the cat is connected to your mom, so it’s like mourning her all over, I imagine.
Sweet sadness. There is no friend like a dog friend.
😥
My deepest sadness for your pain. It’s so very awful no matter the circumstance. Beautiful poem that speaks to how I feel too about my lost furry girl.
It’s been many months now, and a new waggy tail greets me every morning, but still, the loss sits firmly in my heart.
I know how much it sucks to lose a pet. Very well written. Look forward to exploring your blog more in the coming days!
Thanks for stopping by. Still miss our calm boy, especially when the new boy-who plainly has ADHD-is driving us crazy. :-S