Fragmented Heart
Here I am in the living room 22 hours since we let you go
I can still feel you leaning on my leg and hear your laboured breathing, I have to let you know
As we lay on the rug together knowing that it was time for you to go
I stroked your beautiful coat
I did my best to remember the texture of your wonderful ears
I told you how much I loved you and thanked you for all the amazing years
But I failed miserably to prevent the all-consuming tears
The room feels so much bigger now without you near
So quiet and empty, it is the absolute sense of loss that I fear
Karen held your head in her arms and cried on your paw
I supported the rest of you as we lowered you, ever so gently to the floor
Your failing body so warm and soft
O my darling Yarders, how do we carry on?
The sheer force of despair overwhelmed Karen and I
Who would have ever have thought it was so painful to cry
I fought the urge to be sick and tried my best to contain the stabbing pain in my heart
As I leaned on the wall, to prevent he inevitable fall
This was the final act, the day we would finally be apart
O good god, the pain in my heart
I told you I loved you time and time again
I thanked you for your unending loyalty throughout your life
You were a massive part of our world, for myself and my wife
But there you were, dead on the Vet’s floor
My amazing friend who was always there
Please forgive me Yarders
I love you Yarders and I will always care
I am infinitely sorry that I could not fix you and that we had to let you go
The true extent of anguish in my heart, you will never know
Come snow and rain
Come wind and sleet
At the back door we would always meet
You were ready for action with a wag of your tail
Ready to take on the world and be my eyes without fail
For 12 and a half years you always did your best
You saved my life and stopped me getting run over
You got me where I needed to go
Be it North, East, South or West
But now my darling Yarders it is time to rest
The bastard Cancer came and stole you away
We helped you to eat and to play
As much as we could before your heart wrenching final day
You loved your carrots and your meals
You loved the rivers, streams, the mud and your favourite beach
I cannot cope, you are now beyond my reach
I will never again feel your gorgeous ears
Or feel you leaning on my leg when you wanted a fuss
You will never again moan when the TV is too loud and you are trying to sleep
Your beautiful memories in my aching heart, I am forced to keep
We did the right thing and somehow managed to let you go
But we want you back, it is important for you to know
O our darling beautiful, unique Yardley why did you have to go?
My fragmented heart