text: There are many wonderful people in my life, but the most important one is my friend, Norman. I love him and love being with him. Out of all the humans in the whole world, Norman is my favourite. He’s smelled poorly for a while now, and I could tell he was scared. When my friend didn’t wake up at his normal time, or give me his normal pets after he leaves the dream world, I could tell that we would be going on our last walk together. For a little while, at least. ‘I love you, friend.’ Which, of course, to his ears only faintly came through as something other than a bark. He stirred a little. I knew it wouldn’t be long now. I could tell my friend was having a scary dream, but that’s ok. I know my purpose is to be a good boy. You see, many humans can be heart stupid. You have the potential to be the most wonderful beings there are if you can get past all those dark smells in your mind that hold you back from being truly happy. I chased some of Norman's bad dream away with my breath and could tell that he knew I was there. His son, David, was a lovely person, but he was, for a long time, heart stupid. Most humans are from time to time. He pretended he didn’t love my friend as much as I knew he did. But, lately, with a little encouragement from me, he came round to visit more often. I could tell that they had made peace with each other. I’m a good boy. Everyone says so. Norman stirred again, his breathing went a little shallower. ‘I love you, friend.’ I said once more. His eyes twitched a little. I could see the dream world and the valley of the next walk coming into view. The faint smells of lavender and pine, sunshine and freshly mowed grass holding the promise of a new adventure. Did you know, my friend had been in many battles? Yes! When he was younger, long before I knew him, the pack he was with didn’t care about his future dreamworld or the valley beyond. They hurt him, and every night, the bad dreams came, and every morning, I’d help chase them away. I’m a good boy. Everyone says so. Every human has to fight the bad dreams to make the world a better place. The dark smells, if left unconfronted in the corner of your mind only grows stronger. That’s why you should get a dog. A dog will help you and those you love from being heart stupid. Dogs always believe in their friends and believe that their friends will succeed and make it to the valley beyond. A pang of sorrow crept into my heart as the last breath left my friends body. I put my head on his chest and closed my eyes. I concentrated harder than ever before. I could just about hear my friend as he took his first steps through the valley. The last remnants of his pain faded. Concentrating harder, I could see my friend in the valley. Beautiful sunshine illuminating the sky. Then he turns around and smiles at me. Softer than a whisper, yet bound with a power that made my heart leap with joy, my favourite human said: ‘I love you, my friend, thank you for being a good boy.