My sister just lost her dog to Kidney Failure. The plot twist is she was sectioned for having a psychotic episode, and after having 3 hours visit time as the dog lay slowly dying, police came knocking and dragged her away. The dog died without her presence. They released her the day after.
The dog was very much as you describe here, and a vital part of her mental health and wellbeing in times of poverty and loneliness. Tragic way for things to end...
Point being, I'm sure she'll like this poem too =)