He gambols around my feet, nipping at my heels. He's never far from me. His shadow looms in the sunshine, eating it up.

Dark clouds swirl in the sky. Smells like it's going to rain.

A few drops fall from the sky, trickling down my cheeks.

I drop to my haunches and pat the black dog on the head. He licks the raindrops from my cheeks.

You're always going to be here, aren't you?

His big eyes look at me and he barks.

There's times when I can't walk any more, the black dog sits with me. On those days, he tries to urge me to keep walking.

Somedays he stays close to me. Other days he keeps his distance, frolicking and playing, amusing himself with other activities.

Today he is close to me and won't leave my side.

Thunder rumbles and there's a crash of lighting. The ground I'm standing on shakes. A storm is brewing. More rain falls from the sky, like angels crying.

I stand up and continue walking, with the black dog close to my side.