Doggo woke up early this morning. In fact, he'd barely slept. He remained curled up in his warm, fluffy bed as he watched the sun slowly begin to appear over the horizon through the doggy window. He'd been staying at aDogs since the funeral but today he'd have to be away from the streets for something more important.

He takes a deep breath and pauses for a moment before inhaling a short breath further. Big exhale.

"Come on, dog."

He climbs out of bed and makes his usual stop at the record player before hanging his rear end out of the doggy flap while keeping his front end over the sink to brush his teeth. One thing at a time? That was for amateurs. Besides, he had to keep busy. If he stopped for too long, he might not start again. He would never miss today.

The doggo takes deep sigh as he looks into the mirror and pulls on the collar of his suit jacket. He shakes his head and removes all garments, looking into the mirror again before nodding once firmly. No suit today.

He picks up a round, shiny silver object and runs his paw over as he takes a few moments to appreciate it. He'd grown accustomed to having it close but in the absence od his little pocket, he softly kisses the coin with sentiment before placing it back on the surface with care. Noticing the time, he narrowly escapes most of the guilt his brain forces on his soul. Doggo reminds himself he'll be back later as he rushes out of the flap.

Some time later, he's looking ahead at the train station, deaf to the sound of the train clattering the tracks as it pulls in. Still, the same repeating tune looped. Inescapable. Dog makes his way to the platform and on to a quiet carriage where he takes his seat and begins his mental preparations.

He gazes out of the window for most of the journey, watching the world float by as he loses himself in his deepest thoughts. The song echoes intermittently in the background, cycling snippets on rotation before eventually jumping back to the beginning and repeating the process. The sun was high in the sky now and it would soon be lunch time. He was losing daylight. The train pulls in and the doggo marches towards his destination like a little soldier.

bDog looks at the barn door, taking the deepest breath of his long journey. He contains it in his chest as he wrestles with his brain for control. Exerting all his strength, his brain slowly submits into silence. A fleeting moment of serenity.

The cute doggo empties his lungs through his mouth and squints his eyelids together a few times for moisture. His coat looks full and clean in the reflection of the window as he adjusts his face and paints on his smile.

One final sharp exhale before gently pushing the door open and looking across the room with excitement.

Looking back at him, just like every time before is his Mama Dog's perfect, loving face.

She beams a huge smile at her favourite pup, inviting him back into her warmth. 

He toddles towards Mama Doggo and embraces her tightly.

"I always come back to you, Mama."

Peace and love washed over him once more.

Dynamite steps toward bDog and kneels down to give him a nice pet on his back. He could feel his smooth coat.

"Oh man, you've been taking care of yourself buddy," he said to bDog. "Your coat looks great!"

Dynamite stands back up and looks around.

"Just keep an eye out for the dogcatchers," he said to his canine acquaintance. "The city government has been enforcing the no-leash policy."