Copper, my golden retriever/Australian Shepherd mix, is my stalwart companion. I adopted her from the Cody, Wyoming, animal shelter in 2000.

My stalwart companion-
You ask for so little
Yet give so much;
Who rescued who
On that day long ago?
In the madness of the pound
You were a rock of calm,
With tender eyes
And a gentle demeanor.
No one else looked at you
For you were skinny,
Emaciated even,
And shedding badly;
But I saw you,
And loved you.
Now seven years on
You are growing old,
Older than we thought,
And pain
Is becoming your plight,
And I am forced to consider
What I will do without you
When the day comes
You are no longer
Here with me.
You've been the best friend
A woman, or man, could have,
And I thank heaven
For each and every day
We've had,
And will have.
You've been the best
And brought out the best in me
My beautiful Copper-dog.