Is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all?

Upon moving to Henry County I adopted a sweet yet needy puppy from a rescue shelter. After battling every worm known to man inside this dog's system, he finally began to fill out and live a happy fulfilled life. His name was Kokomo Jack.

Kokomo watched every day as I left for school and waited for me to return. He would great me at the door... Ecstatic that I had returned. I felt so guilty for the hours he was left alone in the house to amuse himself.

Kokomo was an excellent watch dog barking madly at the dogs in all the mirrors and windows and keeping my friends at bay. If ever a broom or a gate fell near him he would defend all others against the unstable object which may attack again at any time.

As I sat on the couch often he would sail out of no where to land on my lap and place his nose right up to my eye or nose to say hello.

He had the softest ears and the sweetest face. He was the best four legged basketball player next to Air bud and could play better defense than most high school teams. He was inquisitive. If he heard a noise he'd cock his head to the side to try to make out where the noise came from.

So in the four months of Kokomo living at my home.. I had fallen in love with him. He was my companion. The one who kept me company. He had an ear to listen and a nose to comfort.

This love I have for my puppy has made this weekend all the more difficult as he died after eating Decon. I try to not beat myself up over his death, for it was his inquisitive nature that got the best of him. But to know he will never again say hello to me after a day at school or greet me in the morning, is a tough reality to face. It still seems as if he is just on vacation. The should of ... I wish I would haves can haunt the mind. Here is my poem to Kokomo Jack.

I would have said goodbye
If I knew there was no time to borrow
I would have hugged you more
had I known there was no tomorrow.
I had thought we had a lifetime together
sharing the hours of our life.
But now I realize that time is but a gift
and not promised as a right.
I hope you know how much I loved you
and the joy you brought to my side.
I'm sorry I could not protect you from death
or comforted you as you died.
Take care my friend and thank you
for your selfless love and care
You filled my home with laughter and
and helped me feel secure there