3. GEORGE TURNS 18 (3rd and final ''George'' story)

Chapter 8 - HOLDING BACK THE YEARS

George was crying

''Timmy sweetheart what is wrong with you?'' he said while crying and hugging Timmy

Timmy was lying down, not responding, not even looking up or giving George's hand a lick like he usually did. He didn't want to eat or go for a walk. He had lost interest in everything. All he wanted to do was sleep and drink, and he was drinking and drinking and then peeing all over the flat. George, Jake, and Julie were finding puddles everywhere

Jake came to comfort George as he sobbed

''We have to take him to the vet, he is very sick'' Jake said gently

''I know. I know'' George was filled with fear and dread

They took Timmy to see the vet. In the past, Timmy hated the vet and would fight, growl, and struggle but now he just lies there lifeless

''He has no interest in food, no interest in going for a walk, no interest in anything anymore'' George told the vet ''All he does is sleep and drink a lot''

The vet kept Timmy in and ran a few tests. George and Jake went home and tried to relax for a few hours. Eventually, the vet called them back to the surgery   

''Timmy has had a long life'' he told them ''I can tell he has been loved and well cared for always and he has been happy. I can see you've been the best Master he could ever have wanted George. But now he is old and tired...we ran the tests, his kidneys aren't working anymore, that's why he is drinking and peeing all the time and why he is sick''

''Is there anything we can do?'' George asked with tears in his eyes

The vet shook his head ''George, the kindest thing we could do now is let him go to sleep, let him rest. His condition is terminal, he has in fact outlived the natural life span of his breed I know that's because you love him so much and gave him such a good life. Now you have to let him go, its the kindest thing to do''

''I know'' George whispered and Jake held him as he cried ''The truth was I already knew what you would say but I didn't want to face it''

The vet brought Timmy into the room to see George and Jake one last time

George hugged him and kissed his soft silky fur ''Goodbye my old friend'' he whispered ''Remember I love you always'' 

And the most amazing thing happened. Timmy, who had been lying unresponsive for the last few days, sat up and licked George's face one last time as if to say ''I love you too''

Julie was waiting when they got back

''What happened?'' she asked

''He's gone Ju, it was his time'' George said wiping the tears off his face for the umpteenth time that day

''Oh love I'm so sorry'' Julie said ''I know how much he meant to you

Jake had to go back to work, he felt awful about leaving George at a time like this

''Jake it's ok I'll look after him'' Julie said

George and Julie were left alone in the flat

''We have a bottle of wine somewhere I think'' George said ''I know you won't say no to a glass and I need one too right now''

They poured out the drinks and sat talking

''He was a tiny puppy when my parents brought him for me'' George said ''I was only 3 years old and I wanted a puppy so much and I kept begging for one so they got him for me. I fell in love with him and he fell in love with me right away. He was my best friend I'll miss him terribly''