The Dog and The Moon

Every single night the dog would go outside with its evening treat. It would dig a hole and put it into the ground. It would turn its back to the hole and kick the dirt back over it. The garden was full of these little dirt mounts with treats buried under them. "Why do you hide your treats?" the moon asked the golden dog. "I don't feel like I deserve them." the dog answered and sat down and looked up at the moon. "Why not? You're a good dog, aren't you?" the moon asked. "I sure hope I am. I try my best to be a good dog to Mrs. Gardner. She's just so sad. She says no to treats herself. So I try to be like her." the dog said. "I don't think she wants that." the moon said. "Maybe not," the dog answered, "but I don't know what else to do. She doesn't respond to many things anymore. When she is sad and irrational, I can't help but be it too." "Have you tried chasing your own tail?" the moon offered. "Oh yes, many times. But she doesn't see that well any longer, so she just tells me to stop if she senses I'm moving quickly." "That's sad." said the moon. "But I feel my own bones and vision fail me." the dog said and continued to ask: "You have been around for as long as I remember. Do you feel achy in your bones?" The moon smiled. "I'm not like you. I am old yes, yet I don't age like you." "Do you ever feel tired?" the dog asked, the moon reflected in its eyes. "That I do. I feel tired of always dragging the waves in and pushing them out. I feel tired of watching all the terrible things happening where you are. But most of all, I think I'm lonely." the moon said and avoided the dog's gaze. "But you have me to talk to and the sun caresses your face during the night." the dog said concerned about his friend. "I know, thank you, friend. But I have never felt the kindness of a Mrs. Gardner as you have and I never will." "If you are worried you aren't loved," the dog said, "then you're lying to yourself, Mr. Moon."