He doesn’t even tell me about any of these ventures. I just overhear him on the phone sometimes. He’s put his heart and soul into this pack, and it seems the members not only acknowledge all this, they also love him.

I watch Zeno try to catch Mano’s tail as she sprawls lazily by my feet, slowly blinking up at me.

I reach down and rub her tender belly, making her close her good eye and purr.

I’m happy, I realize as I listen to the contented rumbling sound. I’m happier than I have been ...