Best Part of My Day, My Boy
Brian Armer
Brian heard Booth before he saw him. Not a bark. The quick, familiar shuffle of paws heading for the door, followed by the solid little thump of a body arriving with absolutely no brakes. Brian had spent the drive home thinking about everything he still needed to do. Booth appeared to have a much shorter agenda.
“Hello, boy.” Brian set down his keys. Booth pressed closer, his whole back end joining in the greeting. “Yes, I missed you too.” Apparently that required further investigation. Brian bent down, and Booth brought his face close enough to make looking anywhere else unnecessary.
It had been one of those days when finishing one thing only uncovered the next. Brian had eaten lunch without really noticing it and answered a question while thinking about another. Even after he closed the front door, part of him was still back there, trying to get the day into some kind of order.
Booth leaned into his hand. Brian rubbed the familiar place behind his ear, then rested his forehead close to his boy’s. For a moment, neither of them moved. There was nothing Booth needed him to explain.
“You had a busy day?” Brian asked. Booth looked at him. “Thought so. Keeping an eye on things.” His best buddy accepted the recognition with the seriousness the job deserved, then nudged Brian’s hand when it stopped.
Brian laughed. Not the polite little laugh he had managed earlier. This one escaped before he had time to think about it. Booth’s tail answered. Brian sat down beside him, and his boy settled close, still making sure one part of him touched one part of Brian.
The things waiting for tomorrow were still waiting. Brian knew that. But he wasn’t looking at them now. He was looking at Booth’s face, at the trust in those eyes, at the best buddy who could make his arrival feel like the most important thing that had happened all day.
He cupped Booth’s head gently and kissed him. “Best part of my day, boy.” Booth closed the distance again, apparently unwilling to let a good greeting end on the first try.
Later, when Brian got up, Booth rose with him. “All right,” Brian said. “You coming?” The look he got suggested this was a ridiculous question. Brian opened the door, and the two of them stepped out together. Tomorrow could have its turn. This part of the day belonged to his best buddy.
Who makes a hard day better just by being there? Love. Love is why we only use AniSport Companion Gentle Wound Balm, all-natural care for your best buddy’s scrapes and dry, rough skin. Enthusiastic welcome-home inspections come courtesy of Booth.