by Susan Miller
Dolly
March 16, 1985 May 16, 2001
Alas dear friend
The time has come
For us to say goodbye.
To reflect on happy memories
Weve shared since you arrived.
Your sweet smile,
Your loving ways,
Will live within our hearts.
Were trusting they will comfort us
During the days we are apart.
Remember when you first came up
And climbed into Rons lap
You stole our hearts that moment
We couldnt send you back.
You slept in dirt,
You ate the ants,
And Puppy you would chase.
You slept on top of Susans head.
You brightened up the place.
And then we moved to Tampa
To an apartment with no yard.
Then back to Mom and Dads
Where we loaded up the cars
For the big move to Colorado
Where you first discovered snow.
You even gained a sister.
Her name was Soko.
When Soko couldnt stay with us
You seemed to understand
Your spirit never faltered
It was as if you knew the plan.
And on to Mississippi
And finally into a house.
We snuck you in the TLF.
You were as quiet as a mouse.
Thats where you discovered sunning
And would often lay outside.
You hurt your back from jumping
But you took it all in stride.
You also had some surgery
To remove a mass from your foot.
You spent the night away from us
It was the first time wed been apart.
You had to wear a plastic dish
But you didnt seem to mind.
You used it to help sun yourself
And it came off in time.
Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida
Was the next place where we roamed.
And then off to live in Virginia
Where we decided to buy a home.
This is where the signs of age
First began to show.
You slept a little more each day.
Your pace began to slow.
You still enjoyed an occasional walk.
The best part was coming home
Where you would jump up the stairs
In anticipation of a bone.
And finally back to Florida
Where you played in sun and sand.
We took you everywhere with us,
From boat to sea to land.
But there was a journey ahead of you
Which all three of us could not make.
And while we were not ready
It was one you had to take.
So we let you go so softly
As we held you and we cried
You didnt even make a sound
As you slipped to the other side.
You were always fun to spoil
So we held nothing back
We gave you all the love we had
And you gladly gave it back.
Dolly, this poem is for you
You were so special and so true
You will never be forgotten.
Our love is constant for you.