My Human, My World

Hi, I’m Max—just your average medium-sized dog with floppy ears and a wagging tail. I live with humans, and since I’m not very tall, my view of the world stops at their knees. But honestly, that’s fine by me. My whole world revolves around one human: Sam.

I remember the day Sam brought me home like it was yesterday. I was stuck in a noisy shelter with lots of other dogs, each of us hoping for a miracle. Then Sam walked in. They crouched down, looked me in the eyes, and smiled. That smile said it all: *You’re coming home with me.*

When we got to Sam’s place, everything felt new and exciting. The big, comfy sofa? Mine to nap on. The squeaky slippers? Clearly meant for chewing. And the glowing box humans call a TV? Still not sure what that is, but it’s fascinating. Out of everything, though, Sam was my favorite. They gave me a name, belly rubs, and a sense of belonging. Every morning, Sam’s alarm goes off, but let’s be real—I’m the real alarm. No one gets to sleep in on my watch. I’m up, I’m ready, and I’m jumping on the bed to make sure Sam gets moving. It’s all part of my job as their self-appointed assistant.

A Different Morning

But today felt off. Sam didn’t greet me with their usual smile or ruffle my fur while saying, “Good morning, buddy!” Instead, they sat quietly at the table, staring at their coffee like it held the answers to life’s biggest questions. Something was wrong, and I could feel it.

I’m not great with words—I mean, I’m a dog—but I’m excellent at reading faces. Sam’s face said, *I’m sad.* And when Sam is sad, my mission becomes simple: fix it.

First, I tried my trusty slipper trick. I ran to the bedroom, grabbed their favorite slipper, and proudly placed it at their feet. Usually, this earns me a laugh or at least a smile. But today? Nothing. Just a quiet, “Not now, Max.” My tail drooped. Time to rethink my strategy.

A Loyal Friend’s Attempt

I decided to stick close. Sam moved to the couch, and I followed, plopping down beside them. They opened their laptop, stared at it for a while, then closed it again. I rested my head on their knees, hoping they’d feel the love radiating from me. They sighed and gave me a quick pat, but their usual spark was missing. It broke my heart a little.

That’s when I remembered: the kitchen! Whenever I’m feeling low (like when I’m denied a second treat), the kitchen is where the magic happens. I trotted over to the pantry and barked, hoping Sam would follow. And they did, eventually. I wagged my tail furiously, spinning in circles to make them laugh. Finally, they cracked a small smile and said, “Max, you’re such a goof.” Success!

Nighttime Peace

By the time night rolled around, Sam seemed a little lighter. They climbed into bed, and I jumped up to join them. As they scratched behind my ears, they whispered, “Max, you’re the best friend I could ever ask for.” My heart swelled. I looked up at them with eyes that said, *Sam, you’re my whole world.*

That night, I curled up close to my human, knowing I’d done my job. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new routines, and maybe even a new slipper to steal. But tonight? Tonight was perfect.