Petless

• No warm bundle sits at my feet when I am on my laptop.
• No eager face greets me at the door when I come home.
• No need for the lead in the back yard.
• No gentle clack-clack of paws on the wood floors.
• No tennis balls to trip on.
• No eager pup under the table at mealtimes, hoping for a scrap to fall.
  
• No need for fluffy-blankey when I watch tv.
• No cheerful jingle of dog tags.
• No grateful prancing when I ask "Want to go outside, pup?"
• No barking when the UPS guy comes to the door.
• No need for plastic bags.
• No more looking for the leash.
• No need to make sure doors are closed.
• No answer when I ask "Pup, are you there?" (It's a reflex.)
  
• No more getting up early to slice off a piece of string cheese in which to hide pills.
• No one will follow me downstairs at 3:30 AM just to sit with me.
• No one to brush.
• No need for special dog shampoo
  
• No one to tell my secret worries to.

Sparkle collar was a gift from Tanner's cat cousins, Whistle and Fish. He wore it every day.