In Memory of Jax

The house is quiet, the morning gray,
It was hard to wake up to the world today.
No greeting waits, no tail to tell,
No nose to ring the backyard bell.

I miss the coat of yellow gold,
The anxious heart, so brave and bold
To stand his guard and watch the door,
Then bow with joy across the floor.

I miss the way he'd climb and creep
To the top of the couch to fall asleep—
Perched like a cat, watchful and high,
While the rest of the world went drifting by.

He was shy with strangers, apprehensive too,
But his love for us was deep and true.
He loved me best when no one could see,
A secret bond between him and me.

We'd start our day, just the dogs and I,
"Brushing our teeth" as time went by.
High energy spirit, a wild streak,
But "gentle" was the praise he'd seek.

This week was full of hard goodbyes,
Of "lasts" beneath the heavy skies.
His last sweet treat, his last exhale,
The end of his devoted tale.

My heart is hurting, broken and sore,
For the friend who walks with us no more.
But through the pain, one truth stands still:
We love you, Jax. We always will.

–Dad