Whisper

I look up from my place and see the Shepherd coming in.  He sits down.  He seems tired.  My belly hurts.  I crawl over and place my head against his thigh.  He rubs my head behind my ear and under my chin.  It feels good, reassuring. 

Then he kneels in front of me and takes my head in both his hands.  He gently lifts my eyes to his.  Then he lays his forehead against mine.  His eyes match mine, his nose on top of my nose.  He whispers some words.  I can't understand them; I am just a dog.  But they sound wonderful, mysterious, full of meaning.  I wish I could understand them.

Then I feel the words pass into me; from my ears and face they go all the way down through me and into my belly.  And the pain there stops.