“Did you hear that?” the old dog shouted.They all ran to the front of their kennel doors to see if someone was coming to “pick them.” “Sorry,” he said to the other dogs as his ears fell down from their perked position. “I could have sworn I heard voices saying,‘Isn't he cute? It's Christmas, can't we take him home with us?'”

       “You must have been dreaming again old man,” said the dog in the cage next to him. “Anyway, what's the big deal about getting picked up as a Christmas gift. We've all been through that routine and look where it got us.” “Just once, I'd like to feel the warmth of a hand stroking my head,” said the old dog. “I'd like to be the one who kisses the tears off a sad face. I'd like to curl up next to a fire instead of this cold concrete. It hurts my bones.”He curled up and sighed as the others said, “The only place you're going to find that is in your dreams, old man.”

        Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was as fresh as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and longed for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever be able to give to him again. What would his life become without her by his side?