Five Minute Friday - SHOULD

Photo found on Facebook that reminded me of the friendship 
shared between our youngest son and Shep. 

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: SHOULD.

Go!

It's late and I should be headed to bed right now. I was scheduled to work today (didn't make it) and am scheduled to work tomorrow. The truth is, it looks like it's going to be another long night and I doubt that I make it then either.

As I type this, I sit close to our dog, Shep, who is resting quietly right now..the dog that came to us as an adult stray 17 years ago. 

Shep

Over the years Shep has been a faithful friend and loyal companion...especially to our youngest son who had just turned five when the dog showed up unannounced on our doorstep and decided...all on his own accord...that he would stay. (I really don't think that we had a choice in the matter!) Our youngest son will turn 22 in August. He came by today to say good-bye.

Shep In Younger Days - Snow Dog
Oh! How he loved playing in the snow!

As I write this post, Old Bean (as I lovingly refer to Shep sometimes), lays on a pallet of blankets at my feet. His breathing is shallow and irregular. Up until just a few hours ago, despite the problems that he has been having, when awake, has followed my every movement with his eyes not wanting to let me out of his sight for a moment. My husband and I have spent the past two nights in the livingroom to be close at hand to assist and comfort him as he has not had the strength nor inclination to make it to his bed in the bedroom next to our own bed.

It's been a bit of a blur...waiting, watching, getting up, assisting him as he incoherently moves from one spot to another, losing control of himself, washing urine soaked towels, and bedding. Should we have handled it all differently? We could have, but feel that we've made the best choice for Shep. Just trying to get him to a vet would have been so traumatic for him and, to be honest, I don't think that his heart could have handled the stress of it all. I think tonight will be the last night that we will have to do any of this.

Shep's been a good dog. He's guarded our home, loved our family unconditionally , melted our hearts, and, at times, driven us crazy with his idiosyncrasies, of which there are many. He's been a faithful friend to Stripes. (Stripes is the stray cat that came to us the same year that Shep did and in much the same way...a stray.) Stripes instinctively knows that something is wrong with his dear old pal and insisted on joining us on the floor last night just to be near him.

Shep and Stripes
This picture was taken just a few days ago.
The two pals share a special moment in their sunset years together.

We will miss our Old Bean. He's been a good dog. (Did I say that before? I think I did. And, if I did, it's because it's true. He has been a good dog!) We will miss him terribly, but am thankful to know that very soon he will be free of this decrepit, old body and returned into the hands of his loving Creator.

As we patiently wait upon the Lord this night, we take comfort in these verses from II Corinthians 1:3 and 4....

 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

By the way, thank you to the one who blessed me with second confirmation this afternoon. You know who you are. It meant everything! Thank you! 

Stop!

Until next time.
~Rebecca