In Memoriam 

 "My eyes were wet with tears, our dear little dog, when I bore thee a service which I should have rendered thee with less grief three lustrums ago. So, Patricus, never again shalt thou give me a thousand kisses. Never again canst thou lie contentedly in my lap. In sadness have I buried thee, as thou deservest, in a restingplace of marble, and I have put thee for all time by the side of my shade. In thy qualities, sagacious thou wert like a human being. Ahme! what a loved companion have we lost! Thou, sweet Patricus, wert wont to come to our table, and in my lap to ask for bits in thy flattering way. It was thy way to lick with eager tongue the dish which oft my hands held up to thee, the whilst thy tail didst show thy joy." 

-- The stone of Patricus, containing this tribute from his mistress, dated back to ancient Rome.