I am filled with a strange reassurance when I smell the salty, cornchip scent of a sleeping puppy beside me.

I know I am safe, because the moment I wake I can hear the soft rustle of fur and muscles stretching and dog tags jingling as he starts the morning with me.

Big brown eyes watch my every move and my every food.

A big brown nose bops me in the side when he deems he hasn’t received enough attention.

He does not snuggle but, the pitter patter of padded feet signal unconditional love arriving by my side.

My eternal puppy, it’s hard to see the passage of time in his face, but I see it in the way he lags behind on a long walk, or the way he waits for me to carry him in and out of the truck.

I try not to dwell too much on the passage of time or my heart will break.

What did I ever do to deserve such a good boy?

The fluff of my fluff, the love of my life.