My Friend Kemo

by Maria Bee
(Canada)

Who says you pick a dog? I believe dogs pick us.

On that fateful day, years ago, I wasn't even looking for you. A female I wanted. I knelt down and held the one that was sold. You crawled into my lap. Ever so persistent, you wouldn't let me go! I picked you up, so tiny, and I brought you home.

We became friends and our journey just began. Through the days, months, years, you stayed at my side. Ever so faithful, ever so loving. Day to day we spent, we went through it all! From long car trips to flooding. You never left me.

And on that fateful day, when the door opened and I saw you exit for the last time, our lives changed forever. Our journey together has ended. It has been three months, and I still look for you my true friend! The leash lays unused, the water dish untouched. I miss your wet licks, the wag of your tail, the look in your deep blue eyes. I miss my friend.

When you left, you took so much of me with you. Thank you my friend for the loyalty, the laughs, the joy. Most of all, thank you for picking me, on that fateful day so long ago. You picked well, Kemo, you picked well that day. I miss you my faithful friend!