My Dog Walks Slowly Now - Misty Poem by Phil Soar

My strides are slow now
She walks beside or behind me
Her four arthritic paws unwilling to assist
She wants to be out there
Yet struggles to talk
I wish for my comfort, that Misty could talk

Perhaps I know then
Should I offer?
Should I just let her lie and reflect
Can dogs reflect?
What their life was, and now is
Age creeping up on her fast

She stares and I don't know what she wants
Food not important now our other dog is gone
Does she miss him as we do?
Life no longer normal to us
But almost staionary to her
Her dreams would interest me

Her legs run in her sleep
Her movement no longer as rapid as in her youth
At times she is capable of more
But not enough to be called 'pace'
And I often shed tears whilst I watch her sleep
Good that they don't think like us

I will still offer to venture out
She will show me at the door how she feels
Even a brief stroll is sometimes too much
We will I am sure know when it is time
Until then, I shall just love her
And her me

Misty