To My Best Friend Zack

by Mark Detora
(Northboro, MA)

To My Best Friend Zack-06/20/2001 to 02/27/2012

Over the past ten wonderful years, you have been my soul mate, my traveling companion, my confidant, my brother, my son and, above all, my best friend. Every day that we spent together was special. I wish those days could have gone on forever.

You were always up for whatever I wanted to do, whether it was travel to the Cape or up north to New Hampshire. You would sit in the passenger seat facing me and ask only for me to scratch your chest as I drove.

It was such a small price to pay for such great company. And when my arm grew tired, you would curl up and sleep the rest of the way, waking bright and cheery at the end of the trip ready for whatever adventure lie ahead.

But you were more than just a traveling companion. You were a presence in almost every facet of my life. You sat at my feet wherever I was. You slept on my bed and, even though you could be a bed-hog at times, you were always gracious when asked to move.

When I spent too much time on the computer, you would lay on my bed, facing me with your beautiful head resting between your two front paws, eyes focused on me, and you would let out a little growl.

When I turned to look at you, you would remain in the same position but wag your tail as an invitation to go and pet you. I was always powerless to resist this request.

Every morning you would follow me upstairs and sit outside the bathroom as I got ready for work. There you would stay until I was in the kitchen and you heard the refrigerator door open. Within seconds I would see your cute face peering around the door looking for your morning treat.

You were never happy to see me leave for work nor was I glad that I had to. You actually looked depressed and concerned even after I would pat you on the head and say that I would see you later.

But, at the end of the day, when you heard my car drive up to the house, you would start barking furiously until I came through the door. It was not a bark of warning but of happiness, welcome and love.

After you got your treats and welcome pats and belly rub, you would always flop at my feet and let out a huge sigh. As if to say "Everything is good in my world now that you're home." Indeed, I felt the exact same way.

But now I look in the kitchen and you're not there. I look in the living room and you're not lying alongside the couch as you often did. I look on my bed and you're not there. I wake during the night and I no longer feel your back pressed up against my leg.

In the morning when I open the fridge, I no longer see your face peering back at me. And when I come home from work there is no welcome bark or satisfied sigh; just a cold, empty house that was once filled with your amazing grace.

And just when I think I can't take the emptiness any longer, I look in my heart and there you are in all of your glory. And there you will stay until I take my final breath and join you over the bridge.

Rest in peace, my little buddy. I will always love and miss you more than I can put into words.