For Teddy

It's always been my contention

That a dog should be

big enough,

that if I accidentally

step on her

(and yes, I've always thought

my dog should be a her)

I would do

no lasting harm

And I've stuck with

that formula

until now

I've had

a lab/beagle

a white lab/mystery

a beagle/lab/whippet

(the best guess offered)

and lost them all

That left me,

melancholy

unwilling

to let a soft, furry friend

steal into my heart

yet again.

But Teddy, you did

Your the first boy dog

who stole my heart

You were so unique

(He could catch veggies,

thrown over my shoulder,

while making salad

And liked them)

He was my shadow

faithfully following me

even at the end,

when it was mostly

three, and sometimes

two legs,

which carried him

And silly dog,

he wouldn't go

outside

at all

unless I

was the one who

opened that door

But he wasn't my dog,

he was on loan

I had the complete

privilege

to care for him

as his life waned,

and his “person”

traveled

her own 

painful journey

Then yesterday

the day arrived

when in love

in compassion

in gratitude

we let you go

with lots of petting

and lots of love,

and whispered words

Good-bye, my

Teddy Bear.

Thanks

and

good-bye.

It's One Shot Wednesday.  Write a poem, and link up.  That simple!

P.S There's a new dog in my life, also on loan.  A tiny, 7 pound Yorkie.  Perhaps it's time to expand my horizons and try a new formula.  Just hope I don't step on him...