For Spike, Spiker, Spikey, Spikerdoodle, Pikey, Little man, Mister, et al.

March 1, 1990 - August 29, 2007

My world has run with yours
For more miles than I can count
You, to me, are legacy
That none could dare surmount

I could never honor you
The way in which you’re due
But I shall try with my words
And hope that they ring true

Your life was small and frail
And mine with which to mold
I took you from that awful place
And kept you safe from cold

They said you’d never make it
You were destined not to thrive
I took you anyway
You were barely alive

Our first few days were soft
And spanned a tortured length
I smiled and knew you would do
You began to get your strength

Then, the magic happened
As you became aware
Often times a black streak
Covered in shiny hair

You could leap five feet
And maybe twice as long
And when you pulled that tug
Man! You were so strong

You watched my life face ups and downs
And accepted every change
You treated each new face with joy
Regardless of how strange

You saw me into fatherhood
And watched my children grow
Even though it reduced your role
And your pace began to slow

I know that I have always tried
To keep you on your toes
With a cloying playful grab
Or flick at your black nose

Know that if, when I was cross
That my actions weren’t fair
I never loved you any less
Or wished you weren’t there

I see you now in snowy gray
And hope that I understand
Your eyes seem to be pleading
And I have your last command

Go, my friend with my thanks
You have been without equal
I hope the life that you have led
Will only be a prequel

I don’t know what happens next
As you fade off to sleep
I have all the joy you gave
That I will always keep

If there is another place
To hope I almost dare
Don’t you fret, my faithful friend
I will see you there

Goodbye and goodnight my little man
You have and always will be loved.


Copyright: Brian Pellerino 2007