"We've been together a long time, you and I," murmured the woman as she sat with her aged greyhound snuggled close to her on her couch. Her hand rested lightly on the grizzled head lying in her lap.

At the sound of her voice, the old greyhound raised his head and stared up into her face. His eyes were like dark pools of ancient wisdom.

"Much longer than you know, Mistress. Much longer than you know." The old dog's tail thumped as he lay his head back down in its favorite resting place. His eyes closed and he began to dream......