9yo Jenny Dog -

In the morning, Spark didn’t wake up.

Spark blinked. He did remember. He remembered the tiny, wobbly human who smelled like milk and baby powder. He had decided, on her first day home, that he would protect her forever. He had kept that promise every single day since.

She turned and wrapped her arms around Spark’s neck. He smelled like sunshine and old leaves. “You’re the best dog in the whole world,” she whispered into his fur. “And when you can’t walk anymore, I’ll carry you. And when you can’t see anymore, I’ll be your eyes. And when you have to go…” Her voice cracked. “I’ll remember you forever.”

Just once.

“I miss you,” she said.

Jenny smiled. She leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes.

One windy afternoon, Jenny sat under the oak tree. The yellow flowers had grown tall. She traced her fingers over the small wooden cross her father had made. 9yo jenny dog

“And remember the fort?” Jenny laughed softly. “I made a blanket tent in the living room, and you tried to come in, but you were too big, so you just stuck your nose through the gap.”

And for a moment, she heard a tail thump.

Jenny didn’t scream or cry at first. She just lay beside him for a long time, her cheek pressed to his side, feeling the stillness. Then she sat up, wiped her eyes, and said, “Thank you.” In the morning, Spark didn’t wake up

Spark lifted his heavy head and licked the tears off her cheek. His tongue was soft, gentle, just like it had always been.

Weeks passed. Jenny still looked for Spark when she came home. She still saved the last bite of her sandwich. She still left the back door open a crack, just in case.