It was just simply put a beautiful day out. I never knew that a day like this was possible in these times. I climbed down from the old Oak Tree into the lush grassy field and rested my Enfield rifle against the hard wood. A light gust of wind made the tree shiver and shed some of its orange and yellow painted leaves. Before I could even close my eyes and take in a deep breath of the fresh autumn breeze, I could hear the jingle jangle of Dogmeat's collar approaching from behind me. I turned around and the mutt tackled me to the ground. I broke into laughter as she licked my face all over. I held her tight against me and stroked her soft fur. Although I may have saved Dogmeat's life, she really saved mine. I'd be lost without her. I never truly thought I would find a real friend out here until I came across her.
Dogmeat leaped off my chest and ran over to the beautiful Oak tree, picking up a fallen stick from the ground with her mighty jaws. She trotted on over to me with a smile stretched across her face and dropped the stick my feet. I bent over and grasped the stick firmly in my hands and cranked my arm back for the throw. Her ears perked up as I stretched my arm. With all of my might, I tossed the stick across the field into the long green grass. Dogmeat scampered away and tackled the stick on the ground, tripping over herself and tumbling onto her back. I chased her and slid into the grass right next to her and held my animal companion against me. She licked my face all over before rolling over and getting back up to her feet. She barked at me until I pulled myself up as well. Dogmeat… Just this one simple mutt, gives me hope for this world. She is living proof that innocence and loyalty are still alive. I looked down at the mutt as she wagged her tail, waiting for me to throw the stick again. I reached down and grabbed the chewed up twig and looked back to Dogmeat, except she wasn't there… It's as if she had vanished into thin air. I looked around helplessly, calling her name, sobbing, waiting for her to jump out of the long grass and tackle me at any moment. I waited and waited and waited. Dogmeat didn't come.
It was then that I woke up. I wasn't in some far away green meadow where flowers bloom and trees shed away their leaves for the autumn. I was still in the Capital Wasteland, leaning against Dogmeat's gravepost with Jericho by my side, asleep in his wheelchair. Jericho and I made it after what happened in Andale. Dogmeat deserved a proper burial after what she did for us. That was long ago, so very long ago.
With the little strength I had, I pulled myself up to my feet. My bones were getting frailer and my hair got grayer by the day. My wrinkles covered up the scars my face used to be painted with when I was young and naïve. Death got closer to me each minute, waiting for this old man to fall to the ground so he could swoop in and take me away. That's not happening. Not today. I coughed into my arm then reached down and grabbed Dogmeat's collar that was resting atop the grave. I gently wrapped it around my wrist and pulled the ends tight. The tags jingled quietly as I adjusted the collar around my arm.
"We're gonna finish our adventures together, buddy. We still have so much to see…"