The sun was starting to dip, casting golden light over the backyard. The grass, still warm from the afternoon heat, rustled softly under their feet.
And then — zoom!
Max, the golden retriever, darted across the yard like a furry rocket, tennis ball in mouth, tail wagging like it had its own rhythm. His owner, Jake, laughed as he chased after him.
“Bring it here, buddy!” Jake called out, hands on his knees, breathless from all the running.
Max didn’t. Of course not. Instead, he did that little hop-spin-run move that dogs do when they’re feeling extra cheeky — a clear sign that this wasn’t fetch… it was keep away.
Jake pretended to pout.
Max dropped the ball anyway and gave a playful bark, as if to say, “Okay, round two. Let’s go.”
They played like that for nearly an hour — laughter, barking, and love filling the space between them.
There were no phones, no noise, no world beyond the fence.
Just a boy and his dog.
And in that moment, that was everything.
