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 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 […]

Part 17 – Simon’s Dog from a Long Time Ago

Driver’s familiar, distinctive voice woke him. That English accent. Simon spoke the same way. “Hallo, Hugo. Decided to join me for a bit of a nap, did you?” Driver didn’t have a pack of his own so he always welcomed visitors when he wasn’t chasing birds or sleeping in the hallway.

Part 16 – Who’s Kaydon Waiting For?

Hugo and Zippy were at the end of an enjoyable walk on another sun-drenched afternoon. It was a lazy, meandering walk as they stopped frequently to chat with other dogs. They ran into Suzy and Baxter, who spent most of their time hanging out together. While they weren’t waiting for the same person, neither of […]

Part 15 – Witnessing Grace

On an early Fall morning in Texas that Hugo was imagining, when the mosquitoes disappear and the dry air teases of coolness to come, he looked around. A patchwork of dogs dotted his landscape. He wondered what they saw as they took in their scenery: a mountain stream inviting them to jump in then swim […]