The large, shaggy dog loved the tall, forty-three-year-old farmer with his entire being. And he knew the Man loved him back, evidenced by his gentle words and touch. Even lying quietly beside the Man as he sat in his chair, or watching him work in the barn, they had a quiet communication.

The stern, unhappy Woman never mistreated him, and made sure he was fed when his Man was out in the fields, but had an iciness about her that made Dog avoid her. She never spoke to or petted the animal, and would sigh as she stepped over his sleeping body.

When the Man left for good, driving the old wagon to Dodge, Dog was confused, frightened, and deeply sad. He could not understand his absence since the Man had never been gone longer than the time spent in the fields each day, or the infrequent trips to town to sell his produce.

He lay in the dark in the barn the first night, shaggy head resting on his paws, uninterested in the table scraps the silent Woman had slapped down earlier.

Early the next morning, the Woman opened the barn doors and saw the dog's head rise from his paws hopefully, then sink back down in disappointment. Ignoring him, she went about her chores, then headed back to the house, leaving the barn doors open as usual.

Around noon, Dog suddenly got up, shook himself and went outside. After drinking from the water trough, he stood perfectly still, staring north, sniffing the air, and headed for his Man.

The streets of Dodge were dark and empty when Dog tiredly padded down Front Street. Head down, tongue hanging out from his open mouth, Dog was taken by surprise when he heard his Man's voice:

"Dog! You came looking for me! Here, good Dog!"

The Man was standing at the opening of a dark alley where he had decided to curl up for the cold, lonely night. Now he stood slapping his hands on his thighs, happily calling for the only creature who truly loved him.

Dog ran over to his Man, full of joy and love, eager to feel the missed hands patting his head and ruffling his thick fur. Standing on his hind legs, front paws on his master's chest, he happily greeted him.

The man looked up and saw the Marshal slowly ride by, then tiredly dismount and load his arms with his rifle, saddlebags, and bedroll.

Walking over, the farmer asked if he could talk to Matt as he headed back to his office. The Marshal agreed and the two men started down the empty street, side by side.

Lige Follet, the hate-filled brother of the convicted murderer Matt had just delivered to Hays for hanging stepped out of the shadows, pointing his pistol at the Marshal.

"No! Don't drop the gear, Marshal. I'm counting to three, then shooting. You'll have as much chance as you gave my brother!"

The farm man's eyes widened as he looked back and forth from the big Marshal, who he so admired, to the grinning gunman.

As Follet shouted "THREE!" the farmer yelled "NO!" and flung himself in the path of the bullet heading for Matt. The Marshal dropped his gear, swung his rifle up and shot and killed his surprised assailant.

Dog ran over to his Man's body, sprawled out on the dirty street, pressed himself against his master's side, and protectively put his long front leg over the Man's chest. He knew his Man was going to leave him forever this time, and the dog's big head sank down atop his master's chest, deep brown eyes full of sorrow.

The Marshal knelt beside the dying farmer, and a pretty saloon woman soon joined him. The dog felt the goodness of the big man and the kindness of the woman, and heard their care for his Man in their voices.

Dog felt a gentle hand on his head and looked up into the tearful face of the pretty young woman who had talked to the Man so kindly before he went away.

"Oh, you poor thing. Come on with me, dog. I'll take care of you for Caleb, and find you a good home. Maybe you can stay at Moss' for a bit. It's the least I can do."

Julie pulled the dog up and led it away, his big shaggy head turned back towards his Man, resisting leaving him.

"He's all right now, Honey. Don't you worry.'

As Dog watched, two men carefully picked up the dead Man and carried him towards Doc's office, Marshal Dillon respectfully watching.

Julie wiped her tears away with the back of one hand, keeping the other firmly in the dog's fur as they walked to the stable.

She looked down at the drooping head of the animal and sighed.

"I sure wish I knew your name, dog."

End.

Epilogue:

The next day, Marshal Dillon rode out to tell Caleb's wife Dorcas about his death.

"Mrs. Marr, may I come in please? I need to talk to you," the tall Marshal politely asked as he stood in the doorway, big Stetson in his hands.

The frowning, middle-aged woman narrowed her eyes at the big lawman filling her doorway. Her sleeves were rolled up and her reddened hands were wet.

"Is this about Caleb, Marshal? What's he done" she sighed.

Matt eased his way past the stiff woman, and walked into the plain small house, taking in the drabness and lack of the usual woman's touch.

With another loud sigh, Dorcas Marr followed him in and stood by the small table in the kitchen area.

"I'm supposing you expect some coffee,' she said in a flat voice.

"No, Ma'am." Looking around, Matt saw that this would be the extent of her hospitality and that he had no choice but to say what he had come to say.

"Mrs. Marr, you may want to sit down."

She impatiently tapped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Just say what you came to say, Marshal. I have wash to hang.'

"Mrs. Marr. I am so sorry to tell you that Caleb died last night. He was shot by a gunman trying to kill me. Caleb saved my life, Ma'am."

"The FOOL! I knew he would be a failure in Dodge just as he was here! You can just plant him on that Boot Hill!"

Matt's face flushed with shock and anger. He suddenly understood the man who had died for him. A truly good man who needed to leave this poisonous woman, and who had died unselfishly without a second thought for a man he thought was worth it…him. He was overwhelmed with humbleness and an exquisite sorrow for this man who had not let his sad life embitter him.

Turning on his heel, he stalked towards the door. Before leaving, he paused for a moment and looked back at the glaring woman.

"Mrs. Marr. Caleb's dog is in town at the stable. I can bring him back to you tomorrow. What's his name?"

"Hmph! That beast is a waste of good food! Been moping around since Caleb left. Doesn't surprise me he followed Caleb into town. Caleb spoiled that animal! And I sure don't want him back here, looking up at me with those accusing eyes all the time! And his name is 'Dog!' Can you beat that for a stupid name?! Typical of Caleb to be so lazy that he couldn't even think of a decent name.'

The sour woman was shaking her head and smiling without humor as Matt clenched his teeth, doffed his Stetson, and went out the door.

The Marshal angrily got on his horse and galloped away. After a mile or so, he reined in his big Buckskin, took off his Stetson, and looked up at the blue expanse of prairie sky.

Taking in a big, cleansing breath, he let it out, as if needing to rid himself of any air that Mrs. Marr had polluted.

Resuming his ride at a more leisurely pace, he said a silent prayer for Caleb to rest in much deserved peace from his hell here on earth.

Two days later, a young farmer, his wife, and their seven-year-old son stopped by Moss' to have a loose wheel on their wagon tightened. The young, tow-headed boy sat quietly on his family's wagon, watching attentively, when he noticed the large shaggy dog lying nearby, head on his paws.

Moss looked up and smiled at the boy, Jimmy. Moss was watching him while his parents were at the General Store.

"Go on Son. Old Dog there sure could use some company. He won't hurt you."

Jimmy nodded, hopped down, ran over and knelt down by the large dog. When he tentatively patted him, the dog raised his head, looked the boy in the eye, and gave him a face-covering, sloppy lick.

"Oh, Dog, Dog, Dog! I love you!" The laughing boy wrapped his small arms around the animal's neck and their connection was immediate and forever.

Jimmy's parents had entered the stable, saw their usually too-solemn child with Dog and smiled in surprise. After Moss told them the animal's sad story, both Dog and Jimmy were put in the back of the wagon.

The small family headed home, Jimmy's arms still around Dog, and both were grinning.