One Last Walk

 
One Last Walk
 
I open the door and walk in. Exhausted.
He comes to meet me, my best friend.
Age and disease have slowed his stride
His tail and eyes still young with excitement.
 
He watches me dine and waits his turn
He watches me clean with patient eyes
Then heads to the lead
He looks my way as I sigh, too tired.
 
My mind wanders to a future time
I see in my mind, an empty collar, an unused leash
I return to the now as we head for the door
For one more walk in Sunset Hours.
 
As we walk, I wonder if he knows
Each walk could be his last with me.
He stops to smell the flowers we pass
No need to hurry now.
 
Was I really too weary for this?
We stop to smell the cool fall air
Filled with a mix of joy and pain.
One last walk with my best friend.