My dog died.

You steel yourself; 

you're tough, you've been there, 

done that. 

Active service; hard training. 

Then you take your dog to the vet 

and tell him that you know 

there is nothing to do for her 

so please end her suffering. 

Then you say "goodbye" 

and hold her in your arms 

as she dies. 

And it opens up that other memory 

of 14 years ago. 

And you cry.