The loss of a cherished dog hurts deeply. Touching poems can help a person express complex feelings and process their grief. Though it may feel overwhelming now, the pain will lessen with time and healing. Share these poems about the loss of a dog with a loved one who is mourning a special pet, or allow the words to comfort you during this difficult time.
Poems for When a Dog Has Died
The following poems about dogs dying are written from both a dog's and an owner's perspective. They may make you smile or shed a tear. Some are short enough for use in a sympathy card, whereas others have a longer, meaningful message. Perhaps one of these dog loss poems will speak to your own heart.
Cherished Memories
By Saleema Lookman
While dogs may leave in body,
Their spirit always remains.
May the happy memories you cherish
Serve as comfort through the pain.
I'll Remember You This Way
By Saleema Lookman
Your joints are now steady and supple,
And your tongue stays in your mouth.
Your eyes hold a mischievous spark,
Your coat is shiny and soft throughout.
Though you became weak toward the end,
I'll always remember you at your strongest,
My best friend.
Our Pack
By Saleema Lookman
Whenever I feel sorrow come over me,
I imagine you racing beyond the Rainbow Bridge
With all the beloved dogs I've lost in the past.
My sadness quickly turns to delight;
You deserve this joyous afterlife.
Even the Angels
By Saleema Lookman
I know you're wagging your tail up there.
Even the angels don't mind your shedding hair
If it means they get your loving kisses,
The kind my heart so achingly misses.
The Best Dog of All
By Kelly Roper
Loving and loyal,
A friend through and through,
How in the world can I
live life without you?
I've known you since you
Were just a scrappy little pup.
Fighting to survive,
And you never gave up.
I watched you grow into a
beautiful canine friend.
Back in those days,
I could not imagine this end.
But now it is all over,
And you're truly gone.
Somehow I'll find a way
To try to carry on.
Perhaps one day I'll find
A new puppy who,
Will become my dear friend,
But she'll never replace you.
I'll keep your little photo
hung up on my wall,
And I'll always remember you
As the very best dog of all.
You Did Me a Kindness
By Kelly Roper
When my legs grew too weak to carry me,
And my tired eyes could no longer see,
When it pained me to struggle for each new breath,
When my heart beat weaker, and I drew closer to death,
You did me the kindness of letting me go.
You didn't make me hang on when I was suffering so.
I promise I don't think that you loved me any less,
And I love you all the more for your selflessness.
You freed my spirit from its body so wracked with pain,
And let me run the fields of Heaven, where I'm sure we'll meet again.
Until We Meet in Heaven
By Kelly Roper
All good things
Must come to an end,
And today I said goodbye
To my very best friend.
The house will seem so still,
Now that he's gone.
There'll be no one to wake me up
To go outside at dawn.
His bowls will sit there empty,
But I'll leave them in their place.
No more will water drip down
From his thirsty, furry face.
There'll be no one to bark
When the paper boy comes by.
It's going to be one of those moments
When I'm sure I'll want to cry.
But I know the day will come,
When my tears will finally fade,
And I'll focus on the good times,
and all the fetch we played.
So until the day that we
Can be together once again,
I'll keep your memory alive
'Til we meet in Heaven, my friend.
Your Canine Guardian Angel
By Kelly Roper
I know that you must miss me,
By the tears rolling down your face.
But believe me when I tell you that,
I'm in a very good place.
There are meadows here to run in,
And plenty of rabbits to chase.
There are other dogs to play with,
To frolic with and race.
So please don't worry about me,
My spirit feels light as can be.
There's no more pain to plague me,
I'm young again and free.
And I'll be watching over you still,
of that you can be sure.
I'm your canine guardian angel,
And my love for you remains pure.
Saying Goodbye to My "Good Boy"
By Tamsen Butler
You were always thrilled to see me
No matter what my mood.
Your needs, to put it simply,
Were love, affection, and food.
And in return you gave me joy
My heart filled with your love
You were the "goodest of the boys"
And now you're good above.
My Walks Alone
By Tamsen Butler
Your wagging tail
Your boopable nose
You loved without fail
It was me you chose.
My lap's now empty
And so is my heart
Walks will be lonely
Now that we're apart.
The Watch Dog's Watch Ends
By Tamsen Butler
It's time to rest, my pup.
Your watch has come to an end.
Make your journey on up
And wait for me, my friend.
Rest well, my hound.
No need to stay alert.
You needn't make a sound
Don't fret about my hurt.
You were a vigilant friend
And a loyal, happy dog.
I'll stay with you until the end
And leave in an emotional fog.
Finding the Words
Poems about the death of a pet can bring comfort to those grieving. The poems don't have to be specific to pets, but address grief and loss in general. Use the poems for personalized cards of sympathy, at a funeral service, or engraved on a pet's headstone or grave marker. When poems don't sufficiently convey your feelings, consider a prayer specific to the loss of a cherished pet.
Writing a Poem for Your Dog
Who can express your feelings better than you can yourself? You don't have to be a writer or professional poet to put your thoughts and feelings down on paper. You can use rhymes if you'd like, or simply write free form. Just let the poem be a simple remembrance of the time you and your beloved dog shared on earth.
