The Time To Go

A chance encounter with a
stranger can bring tears
bitter enough to burn the
eyelids of someone who had
no intention of reacting to
a well-meaning stranger's
quiet remarks. People do
tend on occasion to immediately
warm to others in the presence
of small furry creature 
companions. And so, she said
how much our lone little fellow
reminded her of her own
small pet hugely cherished
who lived to a full old age.
It was a poodle, miniature,
like yours, who also died, a
beloved friend, at 19. Strange,
when she was a pup, people
would confront her admiringly,
mentioning in an aside how much
she reminded them of their own
small black dog whose time had
come. And then, yours did, many
years later. On this later occasion
one proffered comfort in
reminding that there is a time
to go, while the other lamented
the time was right, but not
for them, not then, not ever.