Ramona spent the weekend racing around
The agility arena with her latest training partner,
Sewing personalized dog coats for friends,
Feeding a platoon of poodles
And a concert of birds,
Laughing,
Doing,
Playing.
Ramona didn’t dwell on the degeneration
That made most days painful;
She didn’t focus on the losses,
The quotidian agonies of aging.
I posted a plaintive photo, poor dog begging,
“Play with me, Mom?”
Ramona typed back, “So why aren’t you playing?”
Mere hours later, Ramona left the earth.
Her last words to me ring a challenge
Amid these pain-filled days. We have just one life to embrace
What brings us joy. Despite all the grief,
The sun still rises; there are things to do. Today, find time
to play.
.
.
.
Rest in Peace, Ramona Stirling
Shawn L. Bird 
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a lovely poem of remembrance.
Beautiful tribute to Ramona!! Hope you’re able to play like Ramona today.❤️
I will try!
What a lovely tribute to your friend.
Thank you.
My poodle (who was bred by Ramona, and how I met her) will constantly remind me of this.
A lovely tribute to Ramona. 💜💜💜 Stunning.
Condolences to you, a lovely poodle