That Subtle Shift

I'm sure everyone who has had an older dog has experienced this, but it's a first for me. It's when you see the signs that your old dog is crossing that line and you know their time on Earth is coming to a close. Dusty is still enjoying great health and quality of life, but he took just the tiniest step to the Bridge a few days ago. It was in the form of greeting me, or his lack thereof.
When I come home from work I'm greeted by a barking excited pack. Dusty is always at the front, giving his little "ruh. ruh." That is his trademark. A few days ago he wasn't amongst the other 4 dogs. When I got to the top of the stairs there he was, looking at me, eyes bright.
It just was a little too much to get up.
Next day he greeted me as he usually does, but the remainder of the days he has not. And while I carry him up and down the stairs to potty, sometimes he will go up or down on his own. But, that has ceased entirely. Now he'll bark to go up or down, depending on where it is he wants or needs to go.
I don't like it, not one little bit. Apparently it's bothering me a great deal, as I dreamt the other night he passed away. In my dream the dogs had gone out for potty and then it began to storm. As I always do in that situation, I call them inside. No Dusty. I went outside to look for him and he was lying on his side. I could tell there was no life in his body and when I went up to him, he was gone. I was crying and saying "PLEASE don't leave me this way" and was so upset I woke myself up.
So I'll hug him just a little more often, tell him I love him a little more often, and be grateful for every day he chooses go give me. No matter the when's and where's, we are never ready when our dogs leave us.
For me, the word STAY has never held such meaning.