Shep get beef bone!

I've given my dude the leftover bones from my smoked beef ribs for years! He loves them!

Tonight, though, he was waiting anxiously, as usual. However, once I gave him the bone he kept pacing around on the porch, seemingly not knowing what to do.

He's getting up there in age. Since he's a rescue it's impossible to tell his exact age but we think he's around 9 to 10 years old now.

He's a sweetheart and a grumpy old man at the same time. I love him. The cruel truth is that we humans get excited when we get a young buddy. Then we get complacent in their middle years, and then nostalgic and, ultimately, nervous for their inevitable passing.

I don't know how much longer I'll have with this guy, but I want to make the best of it.