we outlive our animals
most of the time
our friend
our family member
11 years last week
can't rise on her own
today lies quietly
in the back yard
watching
for squirrels
chasing them
in her imagination
as she would
when younger and able
not many days left now
while we with the intelligence
and experience
undecided
to keep her
just one more day
or let her go now
Sam, we will miss you