Remembrances
Poetry Dedicated to our Pets

These are poems submitted to us by our employees and clients.  
We thought they were touching enough to share.

The Things I Don't Have to Do

It is all those things I do not have to do
anymore that hurt.
All those little things that bring to mind my
Angel.

I don't have to hurry over to her to make
sure she is still breathing when I get up.
Since her hearing went, she didn't wake up
right away.

I don't have to let anyone out in the 
morning.
No reason to walk to the back fence after
getting the paper.
I have no company as I brush my teeth,
shave and shower.

I don't spend ten minutes preparing her 
meals, which she might or might not eat.
When I eat there is no one laying by my 
feet, waiting to see if the scraps made her 
food any better.

I don't have to hurry home from work to be
sure she gets out before having an accident.
Until the past year she never had one, but
old age changes things.

I go to bed at night and never have to watch
her put her front paws on the bed and lift
her up.
I don't have to miss my Angel; but I do.
I suspect I will for a long, long time.

*****************
The Raven Takes Flight

Through barren landscape cold winds blow
  Lifeless trees shadowed by ominous clouds
    Weighted down with heavy heart, sorrow beneath his wings
      The Raven takes flight

Called to the sky, drawn to the earth
  No guide to show the way
    Destination unclear
      The Raven takes flight

Lone star at twilight
  A call in the distance
    Hunger in his belly grows
      The urge to leave is strong
        The Raven takes flight

Sun breaks, warm and strong
  The path is clear, journeys' end
    Gentle breeze guides the way
      Memories held near, heart at peace
        The Raven takes flight

Reasons

Please forgive me
oh, dog of mine.
For my selfish instincts,
and childish whine.
For I have kept you alive
by using pills and such.
Because without them,
I knew the sickness hurt you too much.
But as time flew by,
you lost the color in your eyes.
I kept you alive anyway,
because it's hard for me to say goodbye.
Then I grew
into a more mature girl.
And I started to notice
your eyes were white as pearl.
That moment I realized,
I have made a big mistake.
I kept you alive for me, 
not for your sake.
Your strength and soul were weak,
and both our confidences grew low.
These are the reasons
why I had to let you go.