Epilogue

He woke up confused. The aching in his hips was gone; breathing was light and easy. He looked at the meadow surrounding him. The grass was thick, seed heads glowing golden among the long green blades waving in the warm sun. He remembered being back there, a quick sting of a needle, then he was […]

Chapter 27 – Reunion

Happy, barky, sloppy licky kissy reunions continued. Sparky, Buster, Chester and their pack ran down the dog-lined street to greet Kevin’s mother, overflowing with puppy energy as they toppled her over. They each remembered her laugh, her smile, how she loved each of them as if they were the only thing in the world. This […]

Part 26 – Arrivals

Hugo saw Kaydon often. He popped by with Driver or alone. They reminisced. They played tug with the frisbee as they’d done back there. Kaydon spoke largely of Simon, and Hugo of Kevin. And their packs grew. Driver was a natural pack leader, and often wondered aloud to anyone passing by why it took so […]

Part 25 – Puppies Back There

Kaydon and Driver hit it off, as Hugo knew they would. The mystery of the pack bond, as it was with Zippy. And their bond continued to strengthen. It happens here – as your pack bond grows, you know what the rest of your pack is thinking, then feeling, then when it mixes all up […]

Part 24 – Kaydon and Driver

Kaydon ran in front even though he had no clue where he was going. It was habit. Whenever they went outside back there, he always went first, even if he was in another part of the house when he heard the door open. He HAD to take the lead and get the smells, the sights, […]

Part 23 – Hugo and Kaydon Reconnect

His eyes were still closed though he was semi-awake. He was so relaxed, so comfortable, so peaceful, there was almost no need to open them. It had been a long time since a nap felt so restful. Lately they had been short bursts of sleep. He couldn’t get comfortable. Couldn’t stay comfortable. Felt sick when […]

Part 21 – Kaydon Arrives

Hugo knew it was coming. For however long, it didn’t really matter but he felt it. Kevin and Simon were both as sad as anything he felt since coming over here. He sensed Kaydon too and yet, Kaydon was as calm as Kevin and Simon were sad. He was sorry for his dear people that […]

Part 20 – Kaydon is Ready

Kaydon floated in and out, in and out. He knew as soon as he found out he had cancer that he was going to see Hugo again soon. Then he got to talk to Hugo in his dreams. Hugo had made him feel better. Since that dream, he wasn’t afraid any longer. Hugo was going […]

Part 19 – People Change

“I remember your name from back there,” Hugo said, rather out of the blue, to Zippy on one of their walks. “I’d hope so!” exclaimed Zippy with pride, only half-joking. “I expect Kevin talked about me a lot.” “Not a lot exactly. He compared me to you. ‘Oh, Zippy used to do that too.’ ‘Zippy […]