Riding Shotgun

When he returned from his bathroom break in the woods, he didn't expect to find her sitting there waiting for him. Perched up in the van like she belonged there. Her bangs hung over her gleaming eyes, tail wagging. It must have been some time since she had run into someone herself - he could notice the drool starting to form around the corners of her mouth. Her excitement ready to drip out.

At first he simply didn't know what to. He clapped his hands, calling to her. No matter how excited he tried to sound, she remained there, looking at him through her shaggy hair. He tried walking away slowly, trying not to pay attention to her - hoping she would hop down and follow him. No dice. Still, she sat there, not flinching. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a granola bar, its wrapper crinkling between his fingers. Immediately her ears perked up and her eyes glowed.

Bingo.

Slowly unwrapping it in front of her, he could see the drool beginning to drip in between when she licked her lips. Edging towards her, he held out his hand, granola bar towards her. It wasn't long before she started to pitch forward, as if she wasn't even aware that she was doing it. She got to the point that he swore she was going to fall over, out of the van, but before the tumble, she finally realized the position she was in and began fighting it. Her hind legs spread out and her back lowered, anchoring herself. She was almost halfway out of the door, head stretched as far as she could, nipping at the air - still a couple inches from the treat.

This continued for a couple minutes before he finally gave up and began moving towards her, allowing the granola bar to come within reach of her. Before he realized what had even happened, the bar was gone, snatched from his hand. But he was surprised by her politeness. She didn't just scarf it down. She was taking little bites. Savoring it. Making it last.

While she was distracted, he inched closer, until he was able to place his hand on her back - ready for the moment for her to snap at him - protecting her bounty, but it never came. As his fingers ran through her hair, he could feel her muscles begin to loosen - becoming less tense with every stroke. When she was finally done with her meal, she looked up at him, as if to say thank you. Without realizing it, he said "You're welcome."

Maybe he did have room for one more on his journey.

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