There's a hole in my heart where a dog used to be

I did not write the following poem. I combined and changed two poems I found by Christina Torres and Amy Waggoner. But the emotions are all mine.

I lost a special friend today
The kind you can't replace
And looking at his empty bed
I still can see his face

I see the endless energy
The sparkling puppy eyes
Not the tired, fragile friend
We had to bid goodbye

I know he's in a special place
That heaven has for friends
Where fields and ponds and sunshine
Make them strong and whole again

I remember how he ran to us
To play his favorit puppy games
And how his ears would perk right up
When he heard us call his name

But as the precious years went by
He both aged and grew
And we often found him slowing down
Though there was much he loved to do

He never was a guard dog
Each time time the doorbell rang
He'd greet friends and strangers alike
With drool and kisses, not with fangs

We noticed in the recent times
His eyes were not so sharp
Where once was a ball of yellow fur
The years had shown their mark

Our Sully was a special dog
Always giving us his best
But lately looking in his eyes
He seemed asking to just rest

And so now with heavy heart
We'll respect that wish today
You can finally rest and sleep
But in our hearts you'll stay

Good-bye my friend. I love you.