A moment, oh so brief in time
You shared your life with me
In an instant you were gone
Until now I did not see

The love you gave right from the start
I did not know its kind before you
But I thought we had tomorrow
I wish now, I somehow knew

That tomorrow wasn't promised
There was no guarantee
You gave all the love you came to give
And then you were gone from me

If only I could have realized
That is was time for you to leave
God was calling you home to him
And I was left on earth to grieve

If only I could have known this
I would have begged God, "one more day"
Just a few more hours to be with you
There was so much left to say

If I could spend one last day with you
We'd hike to our favorite place
We'd look out over the beautiful view
I'd gently kiss your sweet sweet face

I would tell you Shadow, I love you
That you're the best God had to give
I'd tell you how much you meant to me
And how you made me really live

I'd sing to you, our favorite songs
Like "I Love you a Bushel and a Peck"
And how "You are My Sunshine"
And I'd put my arms around your neck

I would tell you not to be afraid
Soon, together we shall meet
When my life on earth is over
And my journey here's complete

I'd tell you that there will never be
Another best friend so true
That I was so blessed to have your love
And there will never be another you

I'd tell you Shadow, if I could
I'd gladly take your place
Or if we could go together
To meet Jesus, face to face

But, Shadow, I could not have this wish
It was not up to me
So I had to let you go for now
And bow out gracefully

As fate turns out, I did not get the chance
To say goodbye, my Friend
I did not get to tell you
That I'll meet you in the end

I did not get to hold your big white paws
So gently in my hands
And look into your eyes one last time
And promise we will meet again

I hope God holds you in his arms
And tells you this for me
That I will love you always
You're in my heart for eternity

And while I live my life on earth
I'll talk to you each day
And tell you your so loved and missed
More than words can ever say

I'll keep you in my prayers and thoughts
And forever in my heart
Until the day we meet again
And never again to part

Until that day, my sweet sweet boy
When God calls me from above
I want you to run free and happy
And know that you are loved.

Shadow Vukelja, My Best Friend
December 12, 1998 to August 2, 2008