It was the third grade when he came to us

His teeth sticking out and his wagging tail

A great addition to the family.

Nine years have passed and how he's gotten old.

Lumps appeared, spirits high he kept going.

Cancer they said yet he lived on and on.

Looking at him, waiting for him to go

Yet he stayed, proved them wrong and watched me grow.

We moved to a new school and he came too.

As the year ended, he would  watch me grow

Summers came, summers went and he waited 

I came home, he looked as though years had passed.

Onto my future and he's almost done.

Savor these moments, for goodbye is near.