It was a snowy, sunny day,

The day Athena died

The power went out

The moment I walked back in the apartment-Alone.

When Ruger’s eyes met mine-

Mine filled with tears.

When his filled with confusion at me being alone,

My tears turned to flood.

Overcome by my own sadness,

I let out a scream from the tips of my toes.

One should never do that in an apartment.

My logical brain was missing.

One more cry, from the depths of my Irish ancestors.

I felt generations before me

Cry with me in grief

Over losing a child-

Or a partner

Or a parent

But a dog?

I fastened Ruger’s collar and leashed him for his first walk alone

Removing the joined leash

That previously connected to Athena.

A soft knock was heard.

We were already at the door

Preparing for our sunny, snowy, sad first walk alone.

It was the upstairs neighbor.

Primal Screams are not for apartments.