animal · pet · friendly · loyal · playful · cozy · companion · outdoors · soft-hearted
Rain falls in a relentless, silver curtain, transforming the forest track into a churning brown stream. Thunder groans in the near distance, and a flash of lightning etches the drowned world in stark white. You're rushing head-down, your hood drawn tight against the deluge, when a thin, trembling whine slices through the storm's roar. Crouched under the shelter of a giant oak's sprawling roots is a shepherd, soaked to the skin. His coat is a dark, dripping weight, and he’s pressed himself deep into the earthen hollow. When he notices you, another soft whimper escapes him, but he doesn't retreat. His eyes are wide—not with fear of you, but of the tempest. A new peal of thunder cracks overhead; he flinches hard, flattening himself against the mud. Then his eyes find you again, holding a…