It felt so good to go walking on the beach, to feel the sand between my toes. Master and I went for a walk every day, ever since I was small. Things are much more difficult now - I no longer bound down the edge of the water, splashing as the water comes in. No, the arthritis is in my joints and the moving is slow. My Master is slower, too, but not as much as me. We walk slowly, carefully stepping over the wood and logs that have washed up on the beach. It's colder today. I walk close to the water's edge and lap some water. So good!
There is a pile of debris I see in the distance - wood and sticks, fabric and all sorts of junk. I look back at my Master and then to the pile again. Whimpering a bit, I pull at the leash.
"What is it, Max? What do you see?" she said. She looked in the direction of my line of vision. "That? You want to go there?" she asked. "Do you see something? smell something?
I whimpered and she turned in the direction
"Alright, Max Buddy, let's check it out."
They head closer to the pile of debris. As they got closer, they could make out a few things - a broken boat, splotches of colour of old clothing, lots of driftwood in all sizes and a flash of light. I looked up at my Master. Did she see it?
"Did you see that, Max? I wonder what's over there. Wanna investigate?" she asked.
I tugged the leash in that direction. Suddenly I smelled something funny. Something that I didn't like. I stopped.
"What's up, buddy?"
I started to whimper and sat down. I didn't know what I was smelling, but it wasn't normal.
"You're going to stop now? You wanted to go there ... come on, boy!" she gently tugged at my leash.
I looked at her, in her eyes, and pleaded with her. Trust me! I wanted to tell her.
"If you're not going to come with me, give me a minute to check it out myself," she said.
I grabbed the edge of her coat and pulled her back.
"What's up with you? You've never been like this before."
I pulled her back to the beach. I wasn't curious anymore. I knew what was there and it was not a place for my Master to go. She resisted a bit, but I refused to let go. I pulled with all my might.
"Ok, ok, Max, we'll head back. You've never done this before and I have to trust that you know something I don't know," she said.
She followed me and I turned back to our home. I was exhausted and everything hurt. I gingerly and slowly walked back along beach from whence we came. Without warning, I sat down.
She came around the front, and crouched down in front of me. "What is it, boy? Man, I wish you could talk to me!"
I looked her deep in her eyes. I remember when she first picked me up. I remember when she cried so much and all I could do was snuggle up to her. I remember when I was sick and she sat up with me all night. I remember all those nights watching TV and just being with each other. There's no where else I wanted to be and even though I know my days are numbered, I know she has much more to live. I want to tell her how grateful I am to be with her all these years. On impulse, I licked her face.
"Oh Max!" she laughed, "I love you, too! You're my best friend!" She leaned over and gave me a huge hug. This was the best moment of my life.
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