The dog firmly placed his chin upon the old man's knee, stirring him from sleep in his chair. The only light in the room coming from the television screen. The dog's gentle message being, "Time we go to bed" dear friend. A ritual event occurring more often now and most likely tomorrow night again.
As the man slowly stood the dog pranced towards the door, to go outside and do his required business. The man also to the bathroom did retire, brushing of teeth and to attend to his own urgent business.
Six years of twenty four seven companionship had bonded them forever, each knowing the other as only best friends or family can, both fully habituated to the other's needs and routines.
The dog sat upon his own bed, close by to the man's bed,Β Β patiently waiting as he always did. The man leaned down and took the dog's face and head into his hands, forehead to forehead they paused while silent endearing messages were, like every night, conveyed and mutually affectionately received. Love as real as any.
The man climbed aboard his own bed, donning his CPAP mask like a pilot before take off and arranged himself in his fully-automatic-adjustable bed, then clapped his hands twice to extinguish the lamp on the bedside table.
"Good night buddy, we'll have some more fun in the morning." the man murmured, closing his eyes to sleep.
Another day ended as most now do, as will, all their remaining shared tomorrow's.