Barfly is a good girl. She doesn’t even work at it. It’s easy, being the loyal companion to her boy and the guardian of his mother. They do so much for her, especially Emerson. That boy is Barfly’s universe. He’s unique. Of all the people the dog has encountered, his heart glows brightest with purity and innocence. And he chose Barfly, out of all the other dogs everywhere. They belong together, forever.

It isn’t always peanut butter and chicken nuggets, of course. Barfly’s boy struggles sometimes. He gets sad. Confused. And his mother can get very angry which upsets Emerson deeply. But whatever comes, Barfly will remain by his side. Nosing his hand when he needs the comfort of her fur. Leaning into him when he needs the security of an embrace. Putting herself between any harm and her boy.

Because Barfly loves her boy, Emerson. He is hers, and she is his. Emerson has always been there for Barfly: giving her table scraps, playing chase and fetch with her. He even leashed her back from the grayness of that next-place we go when our bodies fail us. Emerson is a good boy, he brightens the heart of everyone he meets, and Barfly will be his good girl.

Because as strong as he is, her boy needs her. Especially now. There’s a scent in the air. Barfly recognizes it, even if she hasn’t breathed this smell in a long time, but now it carries a vapor of danger. A surging malevolence that accompanies the familiar woody smell.

Yes, something is coming, and despite his gifts, her boy does not sense it. But Barfly will protect him.

She loves her boy, and she will keep him safe.