This  week’s prompt at 100wcgu is …but even when I listened carefully…

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Over time and to the lucky ones, animal-friends and their humans can become acutely aware of one another’s subtleties. A curious twitch of her tail, a breathy purr a nano-octave higher, or even my teary sigh never goes undetected and unattended.

One night before I fell asleep, Bonnie touched my cheek with her paw and gazed into my eyes.

It was an unusual look: a sad, meaningfully serene, almost apologetic look.

I thought she was just being cute, so I smiled and stroked her cheek until she fell asleep.

Even though I listened carefully—

always—

always, to her heart

my heart failed to hear Bonnie’s goodbye.

Bonnie 1991-2001