My chest aches.
She lies suffering, in great pain.
I look into her eyes. There is great sadness in them.
She has not the strength to trudge on.
She does not wish to exist in this fashion.
I remember my youth, running with her in the field
Her voice was so joyous, resonating into the distance
She was swift and passionate, submerged in pride and loyalty.
She slept with me when I was ill,
Placed her head upon my lap.
I see tears in her eyes.
I lift the cage, the long drive begins.
She knows, as do I.
Destination reached, we enter the chamber.
She tries to stand, as the cage is placed upon the floor.
The man in the white coat shows compassion.
He has seen this many times.
He tells me she will suffer no longer,
That this is the eclipse of mercy.
I hold her close.
The first needle comes, to stifle her fear.
She whimpers in pain, and my throat chokes,
I tell her everything will be alright.
She stumbles, I try to hold her tight.
We lay upon the floor with one another.
She licks my face one last time, a parting gesture of love.
Her golden locks of fur remain majestic,
And she fights to maintain her dignity.
The second needle comes, and she cries out,
The sedative fills her, to ease the transition.
I hold her with all my might, her breath is eradic.
The contractions decline, and she breathes slower.
I kiss her head. I hope she knows I am still with her.
The breath slows to a murmur, and she lays in my arms.
The third needle comes, and the poison fills her body.
Seconds pass, though it feels as though I waited an eternity.
Her heart stops, as does mine.
I kiss her one last time, as she dwells in eternal sleep,
And I leave the chamber behind me.
I inhale the bitter taste of smoke, though
it does not quell my anguish.
The ash falls to the ground and the truth of mortality stabs me
in the eyes, as I suppress the flowing water.
She was more noble than I.
Her love was always pure.
I was glad to be with her, at the end of all things.