The First Time

I remember the "firsts" that he and I shared,
The first time I held him when he was so scared.
The first bath in the tub, the first walk in the park,
His first night at home, his first squeaky bark.

For fourteen years he stayed by my side,
But some three months ago, we took our last ride.
My pal's at the Bridge, oh I miss him so!
A most difficult thing...this "letting them go".

A new year of firsts now lies ahead,
The first night in years without him on my bed.
The first fall in so long that leaves stay outside,
No little dog here to bring them inside.

The first Christmas without him in such a long while,
Next May on his birthday, oh please let me smile.
And when the first year has passed come July,
I know I'll remember...and I know I'll still cry.

'Mo's Mom Carol
October 25, 2000

I Never Knew

I never knew how loud silence could be,
it's something I've learned since you left me.
No click of your nails on the kitchen floor,
no sound of your paws thumping on the side door.

No bark of warning as strangers pass by,
no settling into bed to the sound of your sigh.
And during the night I wake no more
to the comforting sound of your gentle snore.

Instead I wake to the sound of my tears
as I dream of the sounds from our happy years.
Not only do I miss the touch of you...
I miss the sounds that left with you, too.

I never knew how loud silence could be,
just one more lesson you taught to me.
So many things I learned from you,
Like the sound of silence...I've learned that, too.

'Mo's Mom Carol
November 12, 2000