the dog days of summer

The aloe didn't taste great, but she knew the cooling sensation would be pleasant once she managed to get the liquid out. Theory finished splitting the leaf and then slid out the clear innards on to the pad of her paw. Carefully she applied it to the white fur just beneath and over his eye. "No, your whole face won't turn white," she laughed. Puppies were so wonderful and curious. How fun it must be, to have the whole world be a mystery to you. She longed to return to a similar innocence but those days had long expired. Tragedy had stripped her of that easy, pleasant world-view, and Theory was determined to do everything in her power to make sure that their childhood would remain perfect and untouched. Just day after day of games, warmth, and love. "Alight, hold still. This will make sure it works extra well," she said, bending down to give him another kiss above and below where she'd applied the aloe. "I don't have to cover my face with mud, but sometimes I roll in the sand so my back legs don't get too hot... that's kinda the same thing, hm?"

"Tell me if it feels better, okay? If not I have some other things we can try." As much as he wrinkled his nose at the idea, wet mud would certainly feel good on his hot little face. She wouldn't mind playing along if it would convince him. Maybe they could pull Rhyme into it, too. Seeing her father's face smeared with mud would be a good chuckle - just the briefest glimpse of what her childhood could have been.

wc: 280
twc: 1213