He watches my every move
As I clean up after him.
He tries to lap up his mistake.
His amber eyes growing dim,
show me he's sorry.
I tell him it's okay.

He's lost so much weight.
The vet tells me it's his age.
The muscle tone is not as strong
as it used to be,
but his appetite is.

He still can run by the fence
and bark a loud warning
to anyone who comes too close.
One day, he'll look at me with dimmer eyes.
I know it's bound to come.

His legs will give out
and he won't be able to get up.
Until then, we still can have our hugs and walks.

And when it's his time, his memory
will be etched in my brain
until I meet him again.
And I know I will.

Rest in peace , you were the perfect leader.