I park my truck under
cover, crack the windows
when I shop for groceries.
That way my companion lab
won’t get too hot while he waits
in the front seat.

I give Ted’s velvet ears a loving
tug, tell him it won’t be long.
I feel him out there while I shop,
consider getting him a treat,
but don’t.

Three years have passed
since he showed me
how to
die.

Well, there it is: grief. Amazing, how long it takes to deal with significant loss.