So Long Old Friend, Its been good to know ya..'

That fateful parting occurred today. Timmy died just before 5 pm. For the past 2 days he had been very weak; unable to get up to stand on his own. Even when he managed to stand, his legs would give way within a few moments. Deven and I pushed and pulled him along to the front yard to enable him to perform his bodily functions. Ever a dignified dog with regards to his personal habits, he would be so distressed if he fell short of his housebreaking. It may have comforted him to know that we understood. It was hard to see him lurch around, trying to keep his balance while attending to the calls of nature.
He had begun to eschew his food gradually, even his beloved Breathbuster biscuits. Today when he stared at the proffered treats intently, and then looked away, I knew that he had begun to depart from the earthly delights. He did avidly eat a little piece of salmon skin I salvaged from the casserole dish before washing it ; it was the last food he ate.
By noon, it became increasingly apparent that he was breathing was labored and his tongue an uncharacteristic lavender color. He reluctantly swallowed his medicines, clamping down his teeth on my insistent fingers. Then he licked my hand.

We took him out and let him sit under the shade of the trees in the yard, and he seemed peaceful as he dozed. I decided to bring him back in, as the breeze had begun to cool down and he would be wanting to come in anyway. He didn't make it. He collapsed a few feet from the front door and departed from this world shortly after. His eyes had said- I'm safe, I love you...and then they dimmed for ever.