Memories Of A Dog

Photo Credit: Travis Patenaude

You are told not to cry.
We tell you it's just a dog, not a person.
We tell you the pain will pass.
You are told animals don't know they have to die.
You are told that the important thing is not to make him suffer.
We tell you you can have another one.
We tell you this will happen to you.
We tell you there are more unbearable pain.
But they don't know how many times you've looked your dog in the eye.
They don't know how many times you've been you and your dog alone watching darkness.
You don't know how many times your dog has been the only one standing by your side.
They don't know that the only one who never judged you is your dog.
They don't know how scared you were the night your wailing woke you up.
They don't know how many times your dog slept near you.
They don't know how much you've changed since the dog became a part of your life.
They don't know how many times you kissed him when he was sick.
You don't know how many times you've pretended not to see how your hair became whiter.
You don't know how many times you've talked to your dog, the only one who really listens.
They don't know how handsome you were for your dog.
They don't know it was just your dog who knew you were suffering.
They don't know what feelings made you taste your dog.
They don't know how it feels to see your old dog strive to go tell you hello
They don't know when things went wrong, the only one who didn't leave is your dog.
They don't know that your dog trusts you every moment of his life, even in the last one.
They don't know how much your dog loved you and how little it was enough for him to be happy, because he was enough for you.
You don't know crying for a dog is one of the most noble, meaningful, true, clean and sincere things you can do.
They don't know about the last time you moved him hard... Be careful not to hurt him.
They don't know how you felt while stroking his face in the last moments of his life...

Photo Credit: Travis Patenaude