07/25/2025
The Last Walk š¾š
A Love Letter to the One Who Stayed Until the End
You knew, didnāt you?
The way your steps slowed, paws dragging just a little moreā¦
The way you kept looking back at me, not with fearābut with quiet apology.
As if to say, āIām sorry I canāt stay.ā
We took the same path we always did.
Past the old oak tree where you chased squirrels in your youth.
Over the creek bridge where youād shake water onto me, grinning.
But this time, you didnāt run.
Your leash hung loose.
I let you lead.
The sunset painted the world goldājust like the day I brought you home.
And for a moment, I swore I saw your shadow flickerā¦
Young again. Ears perked. Tail high.
Then the wind carried it away.
At the end, you sighed against my hand.
Not a whimper. Not a struggle.
Justā¦ tired.
So tired.
I wrapped you in your favorite blanketāthe one you stole from my bed every winter.
And for the first time in yearsā¦
The house didnāt creak.
The floor didnāt click with nails.
The air didnāt smell of warm fur.
Just silence.
Funny how a heart can break
over something as small as an empty food bowl.
Iāll leave it out tonight.
Just in case.
ā
š¾ Rest well, my brave explorer.
The stars are yours now.
š
