for Sacha
10th March 2008 - 6th September 2022

Curled up on my lap
Nestled into my arm,
I sit and remember
All the wonderful times we’ve had.

You’ve been bouncy, boisterous,
And all boy.
So full of life and energy
From the first day we met you.
Rarely settled and always on the move.
Rarely satisfied and always looking for food.

In fact you’ve certainly lived up to your name,
’Stomachs above everything’ is what they say,
And other than food, you loved to play…

Outside in the garden with clumps of Earth,
Popping balloons, unwrapping presents.
Killing your squeaky toy until it would wheeze,
Fetching your ball continuously.

And after a long day or outdoor walk
You’d snooze and snooze and snooze.
I would marvel at your little paws
And listen while you’d gently snore.
Just happy to be with us
As we were happy to be with you.

Fiercely protective and never shy,
You’d bark at the birds, saying
’Get out of my sky!’
And how I wished you’d never die.

But now as I stroke your velvety black coat,
And look into your innocent eyes,
Your caramel dot eyebrows raised up high,
I can only hope that we’ve given you a good life,
And that your place in our family has been one of pride.

From childhood to adulthood
You’ve watched me grow.
And for the last fourteen and a half years
I’ve loved you so.
Always there through every high and low.
I really really don’t want you to go.

I’ve saved our memories
And locked them in my heart.
As long as I have these
We’ll never be apart.
My love for you will never end,
My darling, darling little friend.

by Sylvia Villa (2022)