Remembrance

A ball of fur. How closely I observed

its tiny paws

entangle my hair. Her eyes were sealed shut but

still seemed to illuminate the room.

She was motionless, like she is

now.

Her body had rested on top of mine

in the car

as I was taking her home to meet the family.

She will now reunite with her own family soon.

She would tuck her head

in the towel we wrapped her in after her showers

ever so slightly,

only letting her nose free from under the fabric.

She would scramble to get to her

food

and would eat without breathing.

Without

breathing.

Her ears had felt like velvet

and her fur had felt so delicate underneath my

fingertips.

Her brand new collar was sparkling

underneath the sunlight and her rabies tag

glowed

in the darkness.

Her collar now was withering and slipped off of

her

because of the weight loss.

The moment her wet nose touched my face

I knew she would be

the best for me. The one to bring me happiness

and joy and never

despair.

But now

melancholy filled my home

as her collar sat ownerless on the counter

and the small bell

attached to it

stood in silence.