Farewell Cody Boy

Scientists say
you are no longer worthy
little Pluto.
Relegated
to the back yard
new company
stealing your glory
chewing your monkey
peeping out the window
solar system guard dog.

Cody too, now gone
13 years on
death sentence writ in shaky hand
old age the exterminator
loneliness
Stella-less
the final straw.

Gone where good dogs go
endless biscuits
endless bunny chase
endless walks
endless rides
endless treats.
no annoying
scary
squeaky floors
tables just tall enough
to not crack your skull
when you leap at doorbell
call.
no howling
fearful puppy maniac cry
caged
new world's dark unexplainability.
no yard dog perimeter
stroll
no tug-o'-war
protection tactic
no
no
no
no Cody boy.

Gone running
to his Stella
by starlight
big smile
shedding
white clouds
across the sky.

Our kids
gone before us
finality
of our lives together
underlined
bringing
us
again
family
if only for these precious
final
moments.

Breathe deep
late night
running buddy.
Running
right behind us
never alone
always
not wanting to miss a thing
excited
excitable boy.

And Pluto
no longer a planet
but always
one
lovable
dog
smiling
running
ecstatic
living large
for his moment.

Full tilt bozo. 

~ written most likely August 25, 2006 in Wilmington, DE. Obit for my dog, Cody.