The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

By: Judith Viorst

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1987-09-30

My cat Barney died this Friday. I was very sad. My mother said we could have a funeral for him, and I should think of ten good things about Barney so I could tell them...
But the small boy who loved Barney can only think of nine. Later, while talking with his father, he discovers the tenth -- and begins to understand.