I wasn’t sure what was going on when my people took me to the Vet for the last time. I just knew that whatever it was, it was making them very sad. Mom and Sister were crying.

Dad had to use a towel to hold up my back end to get me inside. I couldn’t walk any more. I sensed that had something to do with the problem. My people sat around me on the floor, petting me and trying not to cry.

A big man that Sister didn’t like came in and talked to my people. They had me lie down. I felt something sharp in my leg, but I had had shots here before. Dad started crying.

Suddenly I was very tired. With my people’s hands in my fur and their voices in my ears I fell asleep.

x-x-x-x-x

I woke up to light, and the smell of the outdoors. I wondered where I was, and I stood up to investigate.

I stood up.

I turned quickly in a circle. I could walk, my back legs no longer collapsed under me. All the aches and pains of old age were gone. I felt like a puppy again.

I let out a loud bark. My voice had returned and my sight as well. Lifting my head I caught the scent of another animal. Turning towards it, I ran.

I ran as fast as I could go, and I didn’t seem to get tired at all. I followed the scent; my spirit soared and my heart was full of joy to be back to my old self. I felt better than I ever had, anytime during my life.

I caught sight of what I had been sensing: Other dogs, of all kinds, playing in a field together. They raised their voices in greeting as I went to join them.

For a moment, my thoughts turned to my family? Where were they? They had been so sad about something…

And suddenly I knew. I don’t know how, but I knew, that they were sad because I was not with them. But they were safe. My lifelong duty to protect them had been completed. Now it was my time to play.

With a yelp of pure joy I bounded over to the others of my kind, ready for my reward: to play and sleep in the sun, for all eternity. And maybe, when their tasks were done, I would be with my family once more. For now, I knew I was in their hearts.