To have loved and then said farewell,

is better than to have never loved at all.

For all of the times that you have

stooped and touched my head,

fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so

unconditionally gave you.

For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.

For all those things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss,

but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved

and touched each others lives.

My life was fuller because you were there,

not as master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth.

The grass is always green,

butterflies flit among the flowers

and the Sun shines gently down

upon all of God's creatures.

I can run, jump, play and do all of the things I did in my youth.

There is no sickness, no aching joints

and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions

and know that togetherness is forever.

You live in our hearts as we do in yours.

Companions such as you are so rare and unique.

Don't hold the love that you have within

yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever.

For my love never really dies,

and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.