She was probably too furry and black to be called a ray of sunshine,
But our dog Buffy was a light in our lives for the last twelve years.
I know many dog owners claim that they have,
Or may have once had, the best dog there ever was.
But in the case of our dog Buffy, this claim just might be true.

Buffy fulfilled the role that dogs were created for.
Loyal companion, furry friend, watchdog,
She was always there ready to serve our family.
Whether it was a hearty bark that was called for,
Or just a warm presence to comfort us in time of sickness,
Buffy was always on call.

Buffy wasn't perfect.
Maybe she had a few idiosyncracies.
She could be a little imperious at times.
She might demand attention when you're trying to type
On the computer by nudging your arm repeatedly.
Or order that you throw the tennis ball for her
When you're trying to watch a TV show.
I'm not sure if all dogs require cheese on their food,
Or chippies as a staple of their diet.
Maybe Buffy was a little strange in some ways.
But to us, that only added to her charm.

Dogs like Buffy unite a family in some way.
They let us exercise the love in our hearts.
Their innocence arouses our compassion.
Buffy let us display our affection without fear of rejection,
Express without shame our inner child.
When we were scattered, she brought us together
With the thought of her waiting back home
And of the wagging tail that would greet us on our return.
Somehow she could do all of this without trying.
She was a natural that way.

Her special places; the tall grass, her walking path, the pond
Will miss Buffy's presence this summer.
Her pals Riley and Holly may wonder where she's gone to.
Who will they run and shadow box with?
They'll look at our house as they walk by,
Waiting for her to come out and play.
I wonder if they'll understand.

Buffy's spirit has returned to Nature.
But those who were enchanted by her, captured a part of her essence.
And we will hold it in our hearts and minds as we go forward.
Within each of us she will continue to work her magic,
And she'll be that ray of sunshine in our lives,
That she was, and always will be.