Hair greying sharp bark saying he’s in pain
Milky eyes hardly have any sight left
I lift him up the stairs and back into the house
My hand slips just a bit rubbing a sore spot
A gentle nip reminds me not to touch it
Then comes the apologetic course tongue lick

Soft soothing words whisper a token of my spoken
And unbroken affection
The end is near and I can hear the congestion
Breathing more labored so I pet him gently
Making sure that he can hear and see me
Comforting him until he finds oblivion