Slipping Into a Vein

Tears flowing freely down hot red cheeks.

The black tourniquet encloses around the old dog's elbow,

Cutting off circulation that is already weak.

Icy blue liquid ready to be injected.

His humans making this difficult decision to let him go.

If only the ones we love were never infected,

with illness and age taking them to another place.

Slipping the needle into the vein, injecting his death,

backing away, the family surrounding, I give them their space.

Slowly his eyes close and his body grows cold.

His old soul takes one last ragged breath,

As it slips into the other world where there is no such thing as old,

or sickness, death, or pain.

Happiness takes it's toll.

If only life was that simple, slipping into a vein.