10. bye-bye, puppy

it was time.

the family knew,
after seeing you like this,
they couldn’t have you
living in discomfort.
after 12 years
of happiness
and love,
it was time for you
to cross the rainbow bridge
and go to puppy heaven.

the little boy
got to cuddle with you
for one last time,
his heart breaking
more and more
as he watched you cry,
thinking more and more
that this would be
his last time
with his best friend.

mama came back
to take you away
and put you down.
the young boy
said one final
“bye-bye, puppy”
and saw you off.

he didn’t show it,
he doesn’t cry much,
but it breaks his heart
seeing you gone.
he swears that
he still sees you
on the couch,
right next to mama,
and it breaks his heart
to walk in the house
and not get a greeting
from a smiling puppy.

but he knows
that it’s for the best
that you’re up in heaven
with all the treats
you could ever ask for,
and he knows
that God blessed him
with 12 wonderful years
with the greatest pet
anyone could ever ask for.

but he knows
you were more than just
a simple pet:
you were a family member,
you were his best friend,
and you were a loved one.
he’ll forever miss you
but he can’t wait
to meet you again
on the other side.

you made the world happy,
just as we said you would,
and you brought so much love
to all those around you.
you did a wonderful job,
and we all love you,
cooper.