There was a soul who walked this earth,
In fur of golden brown,
Who made a home within my heart,
And never let me down.

She asked for little in return,
No riches, praise, or fame,
Just someone she could love each day,
And someone to call her name.

Her love was never measured out,
Nor given when convenient.
Through every joy and every pain,
Her loyalty was constant.

She guarded those she called her own,
With courage fierce and true,
Yet somehow knew when hearts were hurt,
And just what she should do.

She'd climb into my arms at night,
And kiss away my fears,
And make me laugh with foolish things,
Through all our precious years.

She rode beside me, windows down,
The whole wide world to see,
Perched like a queen upon her throne,
Just happy to be free.

And there was Panzer, steadfast friend,
Her guardian through the years,
Two different hearts, one family,
Through laughter, love, and tears.

He stood his watch, she brought the joy,
Together, side by side.
And neither faced a single day
Without the other's pride.

But time, that thief of everything,
Came softly through our door.
It stole her strength, it stole her days,
Then came demanding more.

Her body grew so tired and frail,
Her legs could barely stand,
Yet still she gave the love she had,
And asked for nothing grand.

And when her final hour came,
As daylight turned to night,
She climbed down from our bed once more,
With all her fading might.

She made her way to Panzer's side,
Where she had always been,
And resting near her oldest friend,
She gently breathed her last breath in.

No grand farewell, no final speech,
No promise she could keep,
Just one last journey toward her friend,
Before she fell asleep.

I laid her down beneath the earth,
With Panzer watching near,
And something in my world went still,
That I can hardly bear.

For people say that time will heal,
That sorrow fades away,
But they don't know what I have lost,
Or what I lost that day.

I do not want to love her less,
Or make this aching small.
The emptiness she left behind
Reflects she was my all.

And somewhere past the rainbow's end,
If such a place can be,
I hope she's running young again,
With every breath set free.

I hope there's grass beneath her paws,
And sunshine on her face,
A window where she watches worlds,
A warm and peaceful place.

And when old Panzer's watch is done,
When he can guard no more,
I hope she waits to greet her friend,
As she did years before.

Two faithful hearts, together still,
Beyond the reach of pain,
And when my own long road is done,
I hope we'll meet again.

I'll know her by those loving eyes,
That silly, crooked grin,
The way she presses close to me,
And tucks her muzzle in.

And I will hold her once again,
With nothing left to fear,
And whisper all the words I've saved
Through every lonely year.

But until then, my sweetest Maus,
There's something you should know:
You were the best of what this world
Could ever hope to show.

You never had to learn to love,
To sacrifice, or care.
You simply lived the life of love
That humans rarely dare.

And though the world keeps turning now,
Unaware that you are gone,
The world I knew was better
Because you came along.

So sleep, my beautiful, goofy girl,
Your work on earth is through.
I'll carry all the love you gave,
In everything I do.

And if there is a Rainbow Bridge,
Beyond this life we knew,
Then save a place beside your heart.

I'll find my way to you.