Left Tied To A Pine Trunk
Thick twisted rope bound the golden retriever’s torso to the rough bark of a pine tree.
A man dressed in a dark winter coat stepped forward along the wet sidewalk, his boots splashing into slush as he moved farther into the distance.
The dog remained seated in the packed snow, his gaze fixed on the man’s retreating back.
Cold air swept off the alpine lake nearby, drifting flakes clinging to the dog’s honey-colored coat.
His head turned toward the asphalt every time a motor hummed past.
When a dark station wagon drove along the wet road, the retriever lifted his right front paw high into the air, holding it suspended toward the traffic.
His ears pulled slightly back against his skull as the car continued down the pavement without tapping its brakes.
He lowered his paw slowly back into the white slush and tucked his front feet together against the frost.
A Vehicle Pulls To The Shoulder
Tires crunched over the icy gravel at the roadside as a white SUV pulled up along the tree line.
The driver’s door swung open into the falling snow.
A woman wearing a cream-colored winter coat and tall dark boots stepped down onto the snowy path.
She took two steps toward the trunk, her eyes locking directly onto the thick hemp rope wrapping the dog’s chest.
The retriever raised his right paw again, extending his pad toward her knee.
She dropped down onto both heels, bringing her eye level directly even with his wet black nose.
Her bare hand reached out slowly, palm facing upward, letting the dog press his snout into her fingers.
He nudged his muzzle into her palm, his tail giving a soft, single thump against the frozen ground.
Working The Frozen Knots Free
The woman shifted closer onto the snow, resting one knee against the frozen dirt to steady herself.
Her fingers moved directly to the coarse fibers cinched around the dog’s midsection.
She worked the bound hemp loose from the trunk, sliding the heavy loops free from the dog’s fur and dropping the coils into the snow.
From her vehicle, she retrieved a dark wool jacket and spread it across the dog’s back.
She wrapped both arms around his neck, pulling his chest securely against her coat.
The retriever rested his chin over her shoulder, his jaw relaxing completely as snow continued to settle across their backs.
She stroked along his spine, checking his ears and ribs through his damp fur.
He exhaled a long breath of warm fog against the collar of her jacket.
A Warm Seat And A Held Paw
Standing back up, she stepped to the side of the SUV and pulled open the rear passenger door.
A soft blanket already covered the dark leather upholstery inside the heated cabin.
The golden retriever pushed up from the snowy verge, planting his front paws onto the vehicle’s floorboard before hopping inside.
He turned around and settled his body down across the padded seat, looking straight out through the open doorframe.
The woman leaned into the doorway, resting her elbow near the frame and extending her right hand.
The retriever lifted his front right paw once more, placing his soft pad squarely into the center of her open palm.
Her fingers closed gently around his wrist, holding his paw steady as she smiled at him beside the open car door.
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