Old Red-Bone Hound

Damn old worthless dog. Lazily, he lies in the shade of my porch by my rocking chair. Useless but for tick food and flea fodder. Too old to bark at a cat or wild rabbit. Asleep he lies with one eye open as if to protect me, if he still could like when he was an overgrown pup back then, so quick to pounce on a troublesome snake or wild hog gone them days -long gone. We all should pay for our keep I should put him down for his old age A kindness. He's just old. He and I lost some weight since my wife passed on we miss her biscuits but he still gets the house, to sleep by the fire she started that bad habit. Now when inside he goes, from room to room, looking for her, always her and the kids, he loved the kids. Grown and gone a long time now they are and he knows still he looks for them. I am sure he misses them more than they miss him. I will have to tell them. It has to be done! This kindness I don't think they will cry. I will not; no, not I "Hear that old dog? Not one tear from me!" The kids will have too understand. Damn old worthless dog. We all should pay for our keep. I should put him down for his old age a reward, I think, to keep him from pain, Just a kindness, a thank you for nothing, same as a gentle pat on the head. A sad job this kindness but not today -no; not today! I've too much rocking to do; today! Maybe tomorrow! Or the next; maybe soon- Yes, I see no rush to this kindness no rush at all.