Tragedy

He used to walk the hardest walks for fun,
Jump over any obstacle he faced,
Race all around the house to find the sun,
Bowling over others in his haste.
He used to balance nimbly on a rod
No bigger, almost smaller, than his paw;
And if he smelled a tuna or a cod
Launch into such a massive foofaraw
That we could not resist him (I admit
We didn't want to) and he'd get
The best parts, and, of course, as much of it
As he could want. So it is hard to set
A hand on him, and feel his bones; to see
Him try to walk, and stumble heavily.