Shadow stood among the high cliffs where white, puffy clouds were strewn across the sky like fat marshmallows. Shadow was feeling joyous and leaped up playfully to nip at the unattainable clouds. Shadow's tail wagged and he wore a lolling dog smile.
"Loyalty," a gruff, stern voice called causing Shadow to start. Shadow whipped around and saw a tall Golden Retriever that was wheaten blonde with beautiful feathering that swayed lightly in the breeze. His coal black nose twitched and liquid brown eyes peered into Shadow's.
Shadow cautiously moved towards the unknown dog and repeated, "Loyalty?" Shadow sniffed the air but couldn't scent anything dangerous. The other Golden Retriever lifted his head and one word struck Shadow to describe this dog: regal.
The dog moved towards Shadow his body posture welcoming. "Yes, loyalty it's one of our best traits. Loyalty and love which are attributes we should never relinquish. As you said yourself my dear Shadow it has been our job as dogs to be guardians." The other Golden Retriever stopped and licked Shadow's nose.
"How do you know my name?" Shadow sniffed at the dog.
The other dog tilted his head and smiled. "I'm your father, son. My humans named me Gunner. You've given up, my son. I'm here to remind you why a dog can never give up." Gunner explained.
"My father?" Shadow exclaimed in disbelief. "Why are you here now? But I'm too old and so tired," Shadow began to explain.
"No excuses. Just walk beside me," Gunner instructed.
Shadow submitted to the request and the scenery dissolved around them whirling into new colors, shapes, and scents. After a short time, Shadow was able to recognize a dense forest. He spied a human family sitting around a fire. A young child, a little girl, was chasing a dog or on second glance a wolf. The wolf had deep black fur and the fur of the wolf rippled and his green eyes danced. The wolf merrily chased the little girl who giggled and reached out her hands to catch the wolf. The wolf stopped and the little girl hugged the wolf around his neck burying her pink face into his fur. Shadow felt a stab of pain thinking of Peter and how he'd hugged him the exact same way. The mother of the little girl came out and scooped the child up and disappeared into a tent made of animal hides. The wolf trotted over to the man by the fire who was reclining against a tree stump. The wolf laid his head on the man's legs and the man smiled and gently stroked the wolf. The wolf gazed up at the man with eyes full of loyalty and love. The man gently messaged the wolf's head. Shadow closed his eyes and could feel Peter's gentle hands stroking his coat as they cuddled on the couch and then underneath a shady tree in the backyard on a hot day.
"I love you, Shadow," Peter whispered and kissed his dog's nose.
Shadow opened his eyes and the forest dissolved but the black wolf stood in front of Shadow and spoke, "Loyalty, Shadow. Have you forgotten our role and become selfish? You live because your boy does and his soul feeds off yours," the wolf's voice was deep but earthly and full of age without being old. Shadow started to speak but the wolf interrupted him, "We do not make excuses for our devotion drives us on and heals us. Never forget that." The wolf howled and Shadow found himself letting out a howl in return. Suddenly, Shadow was back on the cliffs with Gunner who gazed proudly at his son. He licked Shadow's nose and whispered, "Always remember."