They said the dog hadn’t eaten since it happened. Four days.Four days of pacing, whining, refusing every hand that tried to guide him away from the front door. Until this morning, when they finally let him ride in the patrol car one last time. He jumped in like he knew where they were going.
The ceremony was quiet, respectful. Badges polished, flags folded just right. I stood back, near the last row, not really part of the crowd but not able to stay away either. I’d seen them together so many times—officer and dog, working like one mind in two bodies. Everyone said the K9 was trained, sharp, all protocol. But I’d seen it—the loyalty. The way he’d stare at his handler like the whole world could end and he wouldn’t budge until told.
