Darkness embraced the farmhouse. Seated upon the porch-swing, he caught faint murmurs of life; a muted conversation, a snore. The sounds, so simple, gifted him a smile. All was as it should be. Family all close, all safe. All here. There were times, too many times, he’d feared they’d pass before him.
A breeze ruffled his fur, fresh with promised snow. He reclined, no need to huddle against the cold. Eyes closed, he drew a deep breath. Held it to savour scents it held, he loved. He released it in a soft sigh; joining the story whispered by the wind.
