No animal ever lied to me.
No animal ever betrayed me.
No animal
ever broke covenant.

They did not flatter,
deceive,
or manipulate.
They did not
abandon me for gain.
They did not
pretend to love.

They were present.
They were loyal.
They were true.

And if heaven
is the perfection of love,
then surely
they belong there.
Not as decoration,
but as witnesses.

They bore the lantern
of innocence
when human hearts faltered.
They stayed
when others left.
They listened
when no one else did.

So I say:
Let them be there.
Let them walk beside me.
Let them rest
in my home.
Let them be part
of the family portrait.