Man’s Best Friend

He loved sleeping under my bed

Woke me up with his morning licks

Would follow me everywhere

Like a guardian angel over my shoulder

Long and lustrous golden hair

Deep and omniscient brown eyes

Fast as the wind

An affectionate and gentle giant

Everywhere he went

He would light up the entire room

With his cheerful barks

And his charming smile

One fine evening, I went to play catch

He lay there on the floor, calm and still

But as I got close, I heard a faint cry

I saw pain and tears in his eyes

I immediately put him on my lap

His breath was getting faster

Even in pain, he was happy to see me

A faint bark and a lick on my hand

He was rushed to the vet

I kept rubbing his forehead

He loved it when I would do that

Would put him right to sleep

Poisoned! Poisoned by a cruel stranger

Poisoned rice found in his stomach

Braved through a two-hour surgery

But was extremely weak and sick

I never left his side after that day 

Pampered him day and night

Day by day he got stronger

Back on his feet a few months later

A decision was taken, which I was against

For his safety, he could not stay here

If he were to be poisoned again

He wouldn’t make it this time

The day finally came when he had to go

Barking and jumping while being taken away

I stood there with tears in my eyes

I couldn’t bear to watch, so I ran inside

I never went to see him again

I was too scared that I would get him back

I knew he was in a better place

Away from man’s cruel ways

Today, years ago, was the last time I saw him

I still have his toy we played fetch with

That day I didn’t lose my dog

That was the day I lost my best friend