Orange

Like the jersey number

Of a retired player, one

With high accolades and achievements,

And shoes too big to fill,

I decided to retire your orange harness.

I borrowed it once, your hair

Clung so closely to the straps and buckles

I knew it would be the first and last time

Someone besides you would wear it.

There were a few items I chose to use

After much deliberation -

Your old bowl, dog bed, leash.

I needed to give a new life to

The pieces of you

I could actually save.