Yesterday, around 7 a.m., an old friend left forever. I've known him for more than 6 years. He was a loyal friend, and had lived with my family throughout these years. He watched over us, protected us, entertained us with his silly antics, annoyed us, and caused a little bit of damage here and there.

His name was Billy, and he had the gentlest and most beautiful eyes. His hair was soft and silvery white with random patches of black. He was friendly, and we could always hear his loud booming voice from afar as he talked to his good friend who lives in the house next door. He also liked to spy on us when we were having our dinner.

All dogs go to heaven, and I hope Billy has gone to a better place now. It was heartbreaking when he left, but it was a relief as well. He had been suffering for months from a tumour on his back and kidney failure. He couldn't eat, and we had to send him to the vet. The vet couldn't make him eat either, so he had to be force fed. The vet told us to take him home, to see if he'd get better. But he didn't. In fact, his condition got worse. He couldn't eat, couldn't move, and urinated on himself. His sight was affected, and rashes developed all over his body. It was a pitiful sight. Finally, the day before yesterday, we decided to send him to the vet to be put to sleep. Before we could, he left.

Yesterday morning, as I left the house, I saw his tiny body lying sideways on the floor - the same spot that he had been sitting since he got home from the vet. His body was stiff and his legs were rigid. He was gone. I couldn't even say goodbye. I cried in the car, cried in class, and practically the whole day whenever I thought about him. It was also a relief as he left naturally without having to be put to sleep.

This morning, as I got out of the house, I saw a patch of his silvery white hair on the doorstep. Almost like he's back for awhile to assure us that he's alright.

Well Billy, I'm sure you are. Wherever you are, I'm sure you'll be okay. Thank you for all that you've done for us. You don't have to worry about us anymore. Goodbye Billy, and may you rest in peace.

_{If anyone has anything insensitive to say, please refrain from saying it. I'm sick of people telling me that he's just a dog, or go get a new dog, etc.}