One Man and His Dog

One man and his pup. First meeting and the young pup excitedly jumps around and licks the face of his new-found friend.

As the man studies with astrophysics books scattered around his room and scaled high, the pup bounces to distract. Late nights and not only is the man's textbook in his arms whilst he falls asleep, but so is his pup.

Pup's birthdays come and go, and man's relationships do the same but always one man and his dog. The man comes home with an old battered brown suitcase, his pup likes the colour because it shares the same as his own fur.

Finally, the day has come, one man and his pup make their way down a long corridor, both wearing suits suitable for space and the man has the suitcase in his hand. Then off they go to some unknown planet to orbit there for a time.

Months pass by and the man and his pup play ball around their new home. They eat together, often sharing each other's rations, though mostly the man's.

Time for the man to inspect the outside of the shuttle for any damage. Of course, out of no irregularity, the pup gives a quick doggy salute as the man steps into the decompressor. And out he goes.

Minutes turn to hours. Hours turn into days. Then days turn into months.

The pup is still alone. Still waiting. Watching the suitcase. Watching the decompressor. Can't give up now.

Then the pup sees it. Just outside the cockpit window. A suit suitable for space. Excitedly the pup gets up to get a closer look. But no one is in it. The pup falls back down. Watching the suitcase once more.

The mission is now completed. All pictures were taken. The shuttle returns to where it came from.

An excited crowd outside waiting for their new heroes with their space stories. The door hisses open to a pup and a brown suitcase.

The man at the front of the crowd steps forward. Pats the pup on the head and strokes its cheeks. He then picks up the suitcase with some confusion.

"Let's take this inside". All agree and the pup follows.

Inside, all debate what could be inside. Perhaps some space dust? The man's favourite toothbrush? Or maybe a lover's letter?

All goes quiet. Everyone leans in as the suitcase is slowly opened. The pup sits up recognising the smell.

The pup's favourite treat! With tears in its eyes, the pup lurches forward towards the suitcase and picks up the treat.

One man and his dog.