They Tell You

"They tell you not to cry. They tell you that 'it's just a dog'; not a human being. They tell you that the pain will be over. They tell you that the animals don't know that they have to die. They tell you that it's important not to let him suffer. They tell you that you can have another one. They tell you it's going to happen to you. They tell you that there is more pain. But they don't know how many times you've looked into your dog’s eyes. They don't know how many times you and your dog have looked into darkness alone. They don't know how many times your dog was the only one who was by your side. They don't know how much fear you have at night when you wake up with your grief. They don't know how many times your dog slept near you. They don't know how much you've changed since the dog became a part of your life. They don't know how many times you hugged him when he was sick. They don't know how many times you've acted like you didn't see his hair getting whiter. They don't know how many times you've talked to your dog, the only one who really hears. They don't know that it was just your dog who knew you were in pain. They don't know what it feels like to see your old dog trying to get up to say hello. They don't know that if things went wrong, the only one who didn't go is your dog. They don't know that your dog trusts you every moment of his life, even in the last. They don't know how much your dog loved you and how it is enough for him to be happy, because you loved him. They don't know that crying for a dog is one of the most noble, significant, true, purest and warmest things you can do. They don't know when the last time you moved him from trouble... making sure it didn’t hurt him. They don't know what it felt like to pet his face in the last moments of his life.... In Memory of all those who went over the rainbow bridge. You all have a place forever in our hearts."