I Know How You Feel Mom

You never had to tell me.

I always knew.

I knew when you were tired, even if you said you were fine.
I knew when your mind was busy, even when the house was quiet.
I knew when something hurt inside you, even if you smiled anyway.

That’s when I stayed closer.

I sat near your feet. I followed you from room to room. I rested my head against you without asking for anything. No barking. No games. Just presence.

Sometimes you’d look down at me and say, “What is it, Bella?”

Nothing.

Everything.

I wasn’t trying to fix you. I just wanted you to know you weren’t alone.

When you slowed down, I slowed with you. When you sat, I stayed. When you needed quiet, I gave it to you.

That was my job.

Not barking. Not guarding. Not even being naughty.

Just being there.

And I was very good at it.