“Tonight will be our last sunset. You will never see me again.” I always knew it would be this way at the end. I haven’t told you I’m leaving of course. How could I? We sit side by on the beach. The waves are the only sound between us. You’ve felt this day coming… I’ve seen the worry of it on your and in the way your eyes don’t scrunch up quite as tight when you smile at me but instead your brows furrow with worry. I place my head on your shoulder inhaling your coconut shampoo. I couldn’t love you more. It’s why it has to be this way. We lean our weight against each other and stare at the blazing sky before us. The light bounces off the gray in your hair. I’ve gotten gray of my own over years. 13 years of sunsets on this beach. The sun makes its final descent and you toss your bag on your shoulder stuffing your towel inside.”let’s go home…”you say. I follow behind your my head a little lower than when we arrived. I pause where the sand meets the parking lot but don’t dare look back. You open the passenger door of the car and call out. “Cmon old boy! Let’s go home!” I jump up into my seat and wag my tail. One last car ride home but tonight was our last sunset. It’s time for this old boy to go.