The Death Of Our Corgi – Sandy Poem by Bill Grace

He did not want to die
Two vets, the loss of his back legs, the growing ulcer,
His inability to join us in the family living area,
After almost ten months of heroics
That final week of dramatic decline
Told us it was definitely time.

I cried like a broken child, my wife cried too
When you love it is hard to say good bye
We loved him and he loved us
So strong his grasp it took twice the protocol to send him off.

He suffers no more
The cats do not live in terror of his temper
I will guarantee the integrity of his ashes
But this second evening he is gone
I still have this funny ache inside
A taste of grief within my mouth
There is great quiet in the house.

Perhaps my rationale side is wrong
Perhaps I can love another as much as I loved this dog
Perhaps John’s Gospel definition is true
Perhaps in love there is a God
That even for a dog will never end
Towards this God this poem I send.