The hour before he died,
his eyes floated in milky saucers.
In his silent and melancholic agony,
he spoke in whispers that only I could hear.
He dragged his paralyzed hind legs,
inching closer to me with a sigh and struggle.
He wanted my warm hands to stop his shiver,
to pet his bristly fur, to sit on my lap one last time.
He wanted to savor the few remaining moments
of his favorite human before his body
moved to another realm.
Crow On The Wire 
Wow Mark, so eloquent and touching
Thanks, Joey. 🙂
Sad, but very moving. well done Mark.
Thanks, Ivor.
This gave me chills. So incredibly poignant.
Thank you, foxesandpoems. 🙂
A very emotional piece for one who keeps pets.
Love them. Wish they lived longer, though. 🙏🏻🙂
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thank you, Anita and Jaye!!
Been there, have the t-shirt. Never gets any easier…
Thank you, and have a good weekend. 🙂
Wow, Mark!!! What a stunningly awesome piece!! You words made me want to burst into tears for that unconditional love up until the last moment of life!! Such a moving piece! Please consider this as an addition to “Mark Tulin’s Best of List”!!!! This my friend is a classic!!! You really do need to think about getting the American Kennel Club to publish this!! I actually think of this when I look into my Winnie’s eyes (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and dread the time when this might be my own experience. It always makes me love and hug her more!! Bellissimo, Mark, simply Bellissimo!!
I’m glad it made you feel what you felt and honored that you thought enough to put it on my Best List. I especially loved the Bellissimo part! Peace and thanks again.
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
If You Have Ever Loved A Dog You Must Read Mark’s Post – Milky Saucers!!!
Really touched me as my old man is getting older and I dread to think of the day when he passes on to the next realm. Wish they could live forever!
April, is your ‘old man’ a dog?
Yes..of course..my pet lab
Ok. I assumed but wasn’t sure. He must be beautiful. I wish you two much health. Peace
You captured that sad experience perfectly.
Thank you, Sean. 🙂
This is a wonderful post. You have described so well those heart wrenching moments when we have to let a dear animal friend go. I have had so say good bye to horses and dogs. Horses are such big animals it is very dramatic when they go down. With one horse that I knew so well as he went down I could feel his soul or his spirit fly up from his body free of the pain he had been suffering. Thank you for expressing this loss of an animal friend so well.
That must be very difficult to let go of a horse, so beautiful and majestic. Anne, you’re very soulful and must have an open heart to be able to experience the horse’s spirit releasing. Much peace.
Thank you
You’re welcome.
Oh my god…. This is so tragic😢😢