She sits, rocking
Her little pal.
He's three and a half pounds of fluff,
And that always seemed like enough,
When she came wearily home from work.

The kids were all grown,
And there were moments alone,
When it was just Willie and Mom.
He knew she was coming,
Well before she arrived.
He jumped and he twirled,
He barked and he whirled,
And he made every day an ocassion
Of love.

What they say of our dogs
Is true .
Loyal and loving,
They think we're the best,
Not interested in others,
They can leave the rest.

They dance for a treat,
And snuggle at our feet,
And gaze on us with adoring eyes.
They fill our hearts with kindness,
And even after old age has caused blindness,
They recognize us from across the room.

For seventeen years they bonded,
Little Willie and my Mom,
And try as they might to avoid it,
They knew this day would come.

And there is naught that can be written,
For my mother, who was sorely smitten,
By this little bundle of fur.
He was her joy and her friend,
And my heart breaks to see it end,
For I know the pain in her heart.

And now she sits there rocking,
In hushed voices you can hear her talking,
As she says goodbye to her friend.
She holds him close,
And is not verbose,
As the sentiment rises from her soul.

Just one more hour till we part,
A short time to share our hearts,
After your lifetime of love.
To me there has been none more giving,
And I know I must go on living,
But I will miss you by my side.

But for this hour, let me hold you,
Before I let you go.
Feel my strength, which is waning,
My grief that I try containing.
And when my own breath subsides,
And I have reached the end of my life,
When I travel on to eternity,
I believe, you see, with some certainty,
That you'll be there by my side.

Goodbye, Willie.
April 3, 2004