Remembering Niko

Here is a collection of some of my favorite pet loss poems. In the weeks before Niko died, when I knew we were close, I read “The Last Battle” over and over, knowing I’d have to make the choice to let him go. These poems helped me a great deal. Some have been slightly altered, but the titles have not, so you can find the complete versions by searching google with the title, if you like.

I started the poem “Severing the Tie” the day after I let him go and finished it many months later.

PET LOSS POEMS

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THE LAST BATTLE (aka If It Should Be) – Author Unknown

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this  last battle can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes,
Please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me until the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do
We’ve been so close – we two – these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

~~~

SEVERING THE TIE – Bettina Markowitz

It hurts to be the one
That had to make the choice
Your life rested in my hands
I had to be your voice

I hope you will forgive me
I had to sever the tie
I knew you wouldn’t leave me
You would never say goodbye

Our bond will never be broken
I know this to be true
And when I leave this earth
I have you to look forward to

For now I can only tell you
That I miss you dearly my friend
I’m learning to smile through the days
But you know it’s only pretend

I still see you when I close my eyes
And feel you through and through
This empty place inside my heart
Can be filled by only you

~~~

I ONLY WANTED YOU– Author Uknown

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I’d walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as we are called one by one,
the chain will link again.

~~~

I STOOD BY YOUR BED – Author Unknown

I stood by your bed last night,
I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying,
You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly
As you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you,
I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times,
Your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today,
Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels,
I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today,
You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you,
That I’m not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house,
As you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired,
And sank into a chair,
I tried so hard to let you know,
That I was standing there.

It’s possible for me,
To be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty,
“I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly,
Then smiled, I think you knew…
In the stillness of that evening,
I was very close to you.

The day is over…
I smile and watch you yawning,
And say, “good-night my Roo,
I’ll see you in the morning.”

An when the time is right for you,
To cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you,
And we’ll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you,
There is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…
Then come home to be with me.

~~~

MY FOREVER FRIEND

I know that it must be different,
now that I am no longer there.
I realize how much I was loved
and how all of you did care.

I know it will be hard at first
when you look around for me.
Expecting to find me in my bed
or beside my favorite tree.

Someday you will begin to see
although it’ll take some time,
the happy times you shared with me,
the memories are yours and mine.

I’ll remember you, my friends,
and how much you meant to me.
So please don’t grieve and don’t be sad,
it was just my time to leave.

Reference: This poem was written by Kim, from Jacobi to Denise, one week after his passing, as “A note from Jacobi”

~~~

I AM NOT THERE - Various sources

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

~~~

I HAVEN’T LEFT AT ALL

I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs
You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh.

But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow
You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know;

I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall
I want to help you understand I haven’t left at all.

On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain and grief
I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief.

When you take our walking path I’ve seen you turn around
Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.

At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side
You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie.

You said it’s just your heart playing tricks upon your mind
But rest assured I’m really there, my spirit’s left behind.

I know your heart is hurting; it’s like an open sore
You think my life has ended and you won’t see me anymore.

But for those of us bound tight by love, death is not the curtain call;
It’s really the eternal beginning that waits for us all

~~~

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME – Author Unknown

When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not there to see,
The sun will rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today
Remembering how I’d lay my head
In your lap that special way.

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too

But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand

She said my place was ready
In Heaven far above
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love

But, as I turned to heel away
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for
So many sits and downs to do
It seemed almost impossible
That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared
And all the fun we had.

Remember how I’d nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose
The Frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I’d “bark and hold”.

If I could relive yesterday
Just even for a while,
I’d wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile

But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories,
Will take the place of me

And when I thought of treats and toys
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did
My dog-heart filled with sorrow

I’ve entered into eternity,
And how it welcomes you,
Today my life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew

I promise no tomorrow
But today will always last;
For you see, each day’s the same day
There’s no longing for the past

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart
For every time you think of me,
I’m right there, in your heart.

~~~

MAY I GO - by Susan A. Jackson

Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?

I’ve lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?

I didn’t want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.

I want to go, I really do; it’s difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and afraid, because I see your tears.

I’ll not be far, I promise that, and hope you’ll always know,
that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
and that’s why it’s hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me, you’ll let me go today.

~~~

I LOVED YOU BEST

So this is where we part, my Friend,
and you’ll run on, around the bend.
Gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you’ll surely find.

I will go on, I’ll find the strength,
life measures quality, not length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren’t you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
Will remember well all you’ve taught.

Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take this with you…I loved you best.

~~~

I THOUGHT I SAW YOU HERE TODAY – Shiela Seymour

We were so very close, we two
but I had to let you go
I hope that you can understand
it was because I loved you so.
No more pain, no aching limbs
no earthly ties that bind
No dimming eyes, no sleepless nights
you’ve left them all behind
I lost you many months ago,
and gained a broken heart
Yet I feel you close to me
although we are apart
Sometimes when I’m all alone,
I feel you by my side,
As if to try and comfort me,
through all the nights I’ve cried
I thought I saw you here today,
out the corner of my eye,
Felt soft brown fur against my skin,
heard the faintest sigh.

AN INSEPARABLE PAIR – Anonymous

I miss you so much, my four-legged friend
I ask myself each day, if the pain will ever end
Your loss is so hard, for one person to bear
Because we were a team, an inseparable pair

You were by my side, when I got up each day
Waiting so patiently, to go out to play
You were there each night, when I got home
Waiting to go to the park, where you could roam

You always knew, if I was having a bad day
So you’d snuggle up close, and try to get me to play
If that didn’t work, you’d put your head in my lap
Then make yourself comfortable, and take a nap

One way or another, you would brighten my day
Like only you could, you had a special way
You gave me a lifetime, of memories to hold
Through all the years ahead, till I am gray and old

I promise I’ll see you, again one day
When we’ll be together again, to go run and play
Your loss is a cross, I will just have to bear
Because you and I know, we were an inseparable pair

WE HAVE A SECRET – Anonymous

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?

And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.

pet loss poems ~ pet-loss poems ~ pet grief ~ pet loss poetry~pet-loss poetry