Keeper (7/12/2016- 6/23/2026)

Keeper is Our Keeper

Keeper, so perfectly named

Is no longer with us 

Our hearts break and cry 

We are alone No snuggles 

No coy nudges 

No outright loving chortles 

Telling us to pay attention 

Sharing with us her inexplicable communications 

Understood by us, subliminally 

But, now… so absent in the air 

Keeper 

We never have enough time with our pets 

Who are our family, our vital organs 

Our mini selves 

We outlive them, but 

We love them, on our time, in our time 

Knowing their time is shorter than ours

But our time, with them, is the shortest 

The pain of our loss 

Is immeasurable 

We know that we will never replace them

Ever 

That soul that was Keeper’s 

Keeping us grounded 

Showing us balance 

Giving us joy 

Showing us how to be 

Nancy and Dale Ahlum June 23, 2026