Yesterday, August 23, 2011

Our dachshund-mix named Krystal

Was put asleep

Our dog that we brought 

Many times

To Acredale Animal Hospital

For treatment, grooming

And boarding 

- – -

Krystal was a tanned and blackish color

With a long body and short legs

My wife and I got her 

When she was one

From our local pound for our son

When he was young

- – -

Krystal brought us much joy

Over the next 16 years

We inherited her

After our son, Matthew

Went off to college

Leaving her for our safe keeping

- – -

Matthew never returned to live with us

And we ended up raising her

Feeding her dog food

Taking her for walks in our block

And to the nearby dog park

Along Providence Road

Where she’d roll around in mud

But never played with other dogs

- – -

We had to be sure to keep

The gates of our backyard closed

Or she’d runaway down our block

And up Woodstock Road

- – -

It was always a challenge

To run after her

For she was fast

And once she took off

Never looked back

But we’d eventually catch her 

- – -

Sometimes, we were lucky

She’d slip out of the yard

Because someone had left

The gate open

We would hear the door bell ring

And it was a neighbor bearing Krystal

- – -

Krystal had her hunting moments

That irked us

When she killed a couple of rabbits

That came into our backyard

- – -

She barked

The moment the door bell rung

But one time when we were out

And a thief broke into our home

She apparently did nothing

Although he shattered

Our kitchen window

Before entering to steal

Some of our belongings

- – -

As Krystal grew older

She began having accidents

In our home

And we had to clean up

After her

- – -

During her last weeks

She would hardly eat

This was followed

By a significant loss of weight

Her sight was shot

And so was her hearing

Image via Wikipedia

- – -

We tried giving her

Some of our specially prepared meals

But still she showed no interest

In food

So we decided to bring her

To Acredale Animal Hospital

To have her checked out

- – -

A vet examined her

And told us the prognosis

Was not good

She suffered from jaundice

Had a mass within her liver 

That was cancerous

- – -

He recommended

Putting her out of her misery

And assured us

It would be quick, easy

And without pain

Her remains 

Were to be cremated

- – -

We signed the necessary papers

Paid the bill

Bid her farewell

And left

For we didn’t want

To witness her demise

- – -

We feel

That Krystal is in a better place now

And she was quite a challenge and fun

When she lived as part of our family

She’ll be surely missed 

- – -