She was the last one,
The last I'd ever bury.
She was my precious
Whom I could never carry,
Allowing herself to be held
For only thirty seconds
And then she twisted free.
But she would lie for hours
Upon my outstretched legs
As we read our books together.
She was Antigua Jane the cat.

Before her was my buddy
Who yearned when I was gone.
Lying at the doorway
Nose pressed against the sill,
Trying to smell my approach,
My return from all my training,
Blaming his mommy for my loss.
In his glory in parking lots
Where he discovered all the smells
That made his life so worthwhile.
He was Sparky George the dog.

Her grayness made her a ghost
But she always made herself known.
Loving to sleep upon our heads,
She would spread her nails in our eyes.
Crippled by a doctor's mistake
She dragged her leg behind
But when it healed she roamed the yard,
Clambering up on the garage,
Losing herself under the shed.
Found after three frenzied days.
She was Sadie Abigail the cat.

His first daddy lost on a motorcycle,
He grew slowly to give me trust.
Our walks were refreshing for both
And camping and hiking we loved.
Across the country we traveled
Climbed together up many a hill,
Until he grew so tired and old
That I would carry him home.
I built a ramp up to our bed
So he would not need to jump.
He was Benjamin Franklin the dog.

Young and naive she was our first,
Black and white tuxedo style.
Checking out the horse stables
Of the women's college behind us.
Sleeping in my leather cap
There upon the window sill. 
She never learned what traffic was
And one mistake was the fatal one.
I buried her out by the horse sheds
Unaware she'd not be the last.
She was Cap'n Ned Blakely the cat.

No more burying.
No more holding them as they pass.
No more tears for dear and blessed friends.
The final vow has held.