it's a dog's life

I have known him for some time now, much as he can relate to the connection that we share. His entire life is catalogued in almost precise detail in the winding corridors of my mind like a biblical psalm. As long as i can remember, he has been part of our family almost as a brother though he bears larger canines, has a lot more hair and walks on all fours. My dad loves him the most, practically raising him all by himself alongside his sons and their is not one day his quadripedal friend went hungry.
He says it's time we said goodbye but the idea of Bingo's foretold demise escapes my imagination as i picture this grim scenario. I mean, he is only fifteen and it is just yesterday he was the tiny pup running around chasing his tail, squabbling for superiority with others as he came of age all the while protecting our home from all manner of danger as we peacefully slumbered.
I remember our hunting escapades with fellow village boys with heartbreaking nostalgia. Those were the nimble and playful times of the now old dying dog. Honestly, he sucked at it though he was pretty much faster than the others and it was quite obvious he just came along for the ride or the company, he never said which but he made sure we always went home empty handed. The damn dog would give a heated chase to a hare and give it up on the verge of clasping the animal in his jaws and run back to the bewildered boys expecting a pat on the head.
Come to think of it, i will terribly miss him. I saw Bingo sire about a dozen pups with other dogs and i also saw him sire a dozen more pups with his own pups and the pups after those pups. Well, we can say he lived a full life-it is a dogs life, so they say but the reality of it is another piece of the puzzle that is life.
Tonight as i stroke his fur, i can see it in his sad, glazed eyes, the poor soul is at the end of the road and their nothing we can do about it. Bingo has not touched his favorite bones, he just stares into the dark night wheezing painfully trying to wag his tail and i doubt that i will ever see him again