Not an expensive walk. Not a walk to a five-star park. Just the walk. The ritual of putting on the leash, stepping outside, and walking side-by-side without a phone in hand. He doesn’t need me to talk. He just needs me to be there .

Last Tuesday, I was stressed about work. Bruno wanted to play. I yelled at him. I pushed him away. I said, "Not now, Bruno. Go away." He looked at me with those betrayed, brown eyes, tucked his tail between his legs, and walked to his corner.