Arthur felt there was something wrong that fateful day. The familiar smell of his best friend was now hardly discernible. Sometimes he would feel comforted by the voices that sounded similar to his friend but it wasn’t the same. He liked whenever they would play with him or pet him but he knew he was too big and heavy for the older ones. He would watch the comings and goings in the house hoping against hope that his buddy would appear. It was a long time ago but he was patient.
His appetite was no longer the way it used to be and he didn’t mind it much. He wasn't feeling well so food had no more importance the way it once was because his best friend was no longer bringing the food out. One day he heard the familiar rumble of the machine his buddy would ride on. His heart leapt at the thought that maybe he is back from wherever he went. He barked and jumped for joy thinking that he will come out of the garage to greet him and pet him. He waited and waited but sadly his buddy was nowhere to be found.
One day he received a visit from a small bird. He didn’t understand the language of birds but somehow this bird comforted him. The little bird visited him every day and even went into his doghouse. The bird would chirp at him, look at him while he just lay there. Arthur no longer had the energy to bark after birds and squirrels. He supposed that this bird knew this, yet this bird seemed different. It was like this bird was waiting for Arthur.
Arthur slept longer and longer periods. Perhaps it was because he would dream he was playing with his best friend or feeling his hand pat him on the head. He liked it in dream state; it was the only way he could be with his friend.
After several days of sleeping heavily, Arthur could hear voices and knew they were talking about him. He heard the worry in the voices and he heard the sadness he felt every day since his best friend was gone. He sensed the little bird around and knew this little visitor was here to guide him home to where he belonged. He did one last stretch and shuddered his last breath in relief. He felt himself floating away and looked down to see people standing around what used to be him and the little bird sitting on top of the shoe of his best friend’s brother. He barked happily when he saw the familiar form walked towards him and felt as happy as the puppy he used to be. He was finally home and home was by his best friends’ side.