Journey to the afterlife; the last sip.

"Isn't that Sparo?", I asked my son as he drove through the woods.

He chuckled without uttering a word, his eyes were fixed and hands on the wheels.

I looked through the side mirror and could see the other dogs trying to catch up with the vehicle, I was excited to see them again.

It has always been like that for years, my life took a new turn after rescuing and adopting five German Shepherd breeds about 7 years ago. They became my best friends after my wife set off to be an angel, Jerry moved to the city and I have been living with these amazing creatures.

We arrived home and I felt reluctant to get out of the vehicle, I was there for a few minutes thinking about all these creatures that depend on me.

I eventually opened the door when they arrive, they were jumping all over me and it made me emotional.

Kyle sat on the balcony watching, my big cat doesn't like interfering with the dog and I wonder why they didn't get along after a long.

"My babies are dirty", I said to them as I patted them one after the other.

They kept waging their tails and I could feel the excitement among the dogs.

Nina left their midst and I know she is always like that whenever she wants me to see something.

"Dad, you should leave these dogs for now", Jerry tried calling me back.

"You can go in first, son", I replied as I followed Nina.

A few steps away from her kennel, I could hear some yipping sounds. I hurried my footsteps even though I felt weak to do so.

I arrived there and saw four beautiful puppies, Nina was eager to introduce them to me. I stroke her back while looking at the puppies and she felt happy.

I took a stroll around the house, and seeing the garden filled with weeds made me unhappy.

"How long have I been away?", I asked myself.

If I was away for only two months receiving treatment, what would leaving the world mean.

I really didn't want to leave considering a lot of things but I feel very uncomfortable with my ailment.

"70 years of living is enough if I have lived right", I said to myself as I returned to the cottage.

My big cat gently rub its body on me as I reached the balcony, I stroked her as well but she didn't react like she always did.

"Are you alright baby?", I asked and she meowed.

I opened the door and was surprised to see Jerry's family.

They all came around and I was happy to see them.

"Do you all have to come here only when you knew I was going to die", I asked with a smile as I sank into the sofa.

"Mom and Dad wouldn't bring me", Elena replied as she walked to me.

I embraced her, it's been over three years since I saw her.

It was kind of a family reunion and I felt really happy to see the family together again.

At noon, I requested that everyone should help me out in the garden and they agreed. While cleaning, I reached out to an Animal rescue center because I wouldn't leave my babies in the woods to suffer.

We resumed trimming their hair and bathing my babies after taking care of the garden.

I felt weak as the time ticked but I won't forgive myself if I didn't prepare a life for them before I leave the world.

"Didn't you say grandpa isn't feeling well?", one of Jerry's sons asked his mom and she smiled.

"Why do you ask, Alfred", I asked him.

"You have been working since you came back", he replied.
*"I am just rendering my last service to nature".

Everyone paused for a moment and the look they gave me had lots of expression in it.

We heard a vehicle arrive outside a few minutes later and I could tell that it was the animal center workers.

Alfred went to bring them in and we discussed for a while.

My babies cooperated and I walked them all to the van.

I couldn't stop weeping and letting them go made me sad.

My grandchildren held my hands and the memories of how I rescued each of them started flowing through my head.

I stood there looking at their van until it was out of sight before I returned to the house.

We began talking about how I rescued each of them, we went on to talk about life and I had to let my son know that I was unhappy with how he abandoned me.

He apologized and I just had to forgive him. I understand life can be very busy but neglecting our loved ones is a wrong thing. The conversation went on for a while, I put my favorite songs on replay and my grandchildren didn't leave my side.

Darkness fell upon the face of the earth and I went out to see the stars. Jerry brought my rocker and it reminded me of how I do rock him to sleep when he was a kid.

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_Source

He handed me a cup of coffee and that reminded me of his mother, I felt her presence around me and it felt like she came to accompany me to the afterlife.

It was just me and Jerry now, he apologized again and I blessed him as I continued sipping my coffee.

I relaxed my back on the rocker and fixed my eyes on the stars waiting for angels to accompany me to the afterlife.