In Tribute to the Older Pet


Thank You for Loving Me
(author unknown -

adapted / reprinted with kind permission from Betsy Gunderson)

One by one they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his prime he can't run and play,
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted any more.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
I purred; I gave kisses; always grateful for life.
I never imagined the heartache I now feel.
Now my fur has lost its shine, and my eyes slowly fail,
Who wants a pet so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger ones get adopted away.
When I had almost put my head down for good
You saw my face and I finally had hope.
You saw through the grey, and the tail bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond the cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly and want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
I promise to return all the love I can give,
To You, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days
So precious and dear.
Thank you for loving me. ♥