Pic1000/ Family Bond

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Sarah sat at the front pew in church, dabbing tears from her eyes. Her brother Trevor patted her back and tried not to start bawling like a kid in front of the other mourners. It was their father's funeral service and even though he had lived a long and fulfilled life they would still miss him dearly.

His father's dog Spencer sat down quietly at Sarah's feet, letting out a pitiful whine every few minutes as if he knew that his beloved owner had passed. Trevor stroked the dog, biting his lips as a tear escaped from his eyelids and dropped on his shoes.

Trevor had been trying really hard to appear strong for his only sister, but it was hard. Their Dad, Mr. Smith Wayne was the only parent they'd known all their lives. Their mother had somehow disappeared out from their lives at a young age.

“God, this is hard” Sarah whispered.

“I think Spencer misses him too. They've been inseparable for years now” Trevor replied with a wobbly smile.

“I wish my kids could have been here, even my husband,” Sarah said.

“Someone needs to be with the kids until their exams are over. Besides, Spencer and I are here for you” Trevor whispered, kissing his sister on her forehead.

The service came to an end, and they clung to each other as they moved to the cemetery to say their final goodbyes to the man who had meant the world to them. Spencer wasn't left behind as he moved slowly, tail tucked between his legs, eyes searching for his master.

After the burial, Spencer, who was usually a lively and energetic dog, became withdrawn and dull. He sat all day on his master's favorite couch, snuggling into the throw blanket and ignoring everyone.

“Poor Spencer, if only he could speak and ask of Dad's whereabouts” Trevor said to Sarah.

“I think he senses it somehow and is grieving like both of us” Sarah replied, moving to the couch to pet Spencer. “Hey boy, you want a treat?”

Spencer looked at her with a bored expression on his face, yawned and wriggled deeper into the duvet. Trevor chuckled and went to the kitchen to fill Spencer's food bowl with dog food.

“Spencer, come here boy” Trevor called, but he was also ignored. Later, when he was having dinner with his sister, the dog walked into the kitchen, ate the food, and sat patiently at the door waiting to be walked.

“I see our baby brother still loves his night walks as usual” Trevor chuckled.

As soon as they were back from the walk, Trevor jumped on the couch and wriggled around until he found a comfortable position.

Two weeks after the funeral, Trevor and Sarah decided to head back to their various homes. According to their Dad's lawyer, all the properties were theirs now. They decided to continue renting them out as their father had done, but his house would not be sold or rented.

Since Trevor was a doctor who was always busy and barely had time for himself except during his leave, Sarah decided to take Spencer to her home. They hoped that with time he would go back to the energetic dog he'd always been. Spencer no longer barked or ran around like he used to.

After saying their goodbyes and promising to visit each other weekly, they drove their separate ways. Sarah talked to the dog throughout the ride home, and Spencer stared at her, head cocked to one side with his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

“I'm home!” she shouted as parked in her driveway.

Her Husband and three kids ran out and enveloped her in a tight hug. The kids shrieked with delight upon seeing Spencer and kept on hugging him tightly until the poor dog protested with a whine. Over the following days, Sarah watched as Spencer slowly warmed up to her family.

In two months he was running around and barking and learning new tricks from her kids. Sarah and Trevor were also healing slowly from the pain of losing their father and occasionally the three children of Mr. Smith: Trevor, Sarah and Spencer could be seen taking long walks, laughing and reminiscing.

-I see a dog sitting on a couch. The dog is covered with a blanket and is peeping out.

-I feel the dog is sad and needs comforting.