More Than Just a Dog To Me

by Janie Mathis
(Texas)

My sweet, sweet girl
You've left me today
Though my eyes are red from crying
I couldn't let you stay

The cancer changed you quickly
From the girl you once had been
And would have claimed you fully
--But, God only knows when

Meanwhile, you were listless
You could barely raise your head
You'd given up on eating
You couldn't jump upon the bed

I'd made you home-cooked meals
Lifted the water bowl so you could drink
Fed you through a syringe
Researched supplements from A to Zinc

I did these things out of love
--My sweet, sweet "Daisy Day"--
And how I wish I would have found
A cure so you could stay

But when I saw in spite of all
The things that I had done,
The cancer was unrelenting
And that our battle would not be won

I decided to give you all of my love
And in that act, I set you free
Though it was hard, I did it because
You were more than just a dog to me…

--Janie Mathis