Frank gritted his teeth as he watched Jasper barking like an animal possessed, darting around and through the huge animals.

For the most part, the cows gave the brown barking maniac plenty of room. They’d never trained the dog in herding, but he must have had the instinct, because in a moment he was chasing the stray cows back through the gap in the fence. Buck took position there, making sure no more cows would escape before the other boys arrived to mend the fence.

In the distance, Frank noticed a plume of dust as the other ranch hands approached. Within fifteen minutes, the boys had patched up the fence and begun transferring the herd to another pasture.

Frank couldn’t help but laugh as Jasper loped back with his tongue hanging out and with what looked like a big grin on his furry face. “Jasper, you’re one crazy dog, you know that?”

After having witnessed the animal’s keen intellect over the last few months, Frank didn’t even think twice that the dog had watched enough of the ranch hands herding the cattle and had taken it upon himself to just be like one of the men.

He threw a wad of jerky in the dog’s direction, which Jasper snatched out of the air and gulped down within a matter of seconds. But he immediately regretted the throw. A hot pain shot down his shoulder to his elbow, nearly doubling him over.

“Frank, what’s wrong?”

He turned and saw Megan hurrying toward him with a picnic basket.

“Nothing, dear, I’m fine.”

“Horsefeathers. You’re not fine.” She dropped the picnic basket on the ground and rushed over to him as Jasper whined at Frank’s feet. “See, even Jasper knows you’re in pain.” She put her hands on his face, forcing him to look directly at her. “Honey, you need to stop being ornery and learn to admit when you’re not feeling right. Talk to me. I know you’re hurting.”

Frank felt his throat getting thick. “Woman, of course I’m hurting. Truth is, just about everything is aching. My knees, my elbows, shoulders, hips… you name it. It’s called getting old. I’ll just walk it off and it’ll eventually get better.”

She frowned. “You’re not old. You’re just a big stubborn mule of a man.” She pulled him down to her level and gave him a firm kiss on the lips. “That’s it, I’m dragging you to the doctor even if I have to tie you up like a Thanksgiving turkey.”

Frank gave his wife of thirty years a pained smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

###

Frank sat in the doctor’s waiting room with Megan beside him, holding his hand with an iron grip. He knew she was nervous, but he felt resigned to whatever God willed.