Muddy[/@ch_1]—bounds along a winding path, his tail wagging furiously.] Muddy darts between patches of sunlight, his fur a riot of brown and white as if he’s splashed through a dozen muddy puddles. Beside him walks his owner, a handsome man with a salt-and-pepper beard who pauses often to watch his playful companion. "Come on, Muddy! Let’s see what adventures today brings,"

Louie[/@ch_3]—ambles with an elegant, gray-haired lady. Sunbeams catch on Louie’s curly golden coat, illuminating his cheerful eyes. The paths of the two pairs converge.] Louie slows as he spots Muddy, his tail wagging in broad, friendly sweeps. His owner, the lady in a bright scarf, smiles warmly at the newcomers, her eyes twinkling. "What a handsome dog you have! He looks like he’s had quite an adventure," "He never finds a puddle he doesn’t love,"

Muddy leaps back as Louie gives a happy bark, and soon both are racing in wide loops, paws kicking up morning mist. Their owners watch, delight spreading across their faces. "Seems like they’re already best friends," "And it looks like we’re about to be, too,"

"I rescued Muddy last spring. He’s never lost his love for mischief," "Louie’s my gentle giant. He keeps me young, even on the toughest days,"

Muddy nudges Louie playfully, and the two dogs bound off toward another adventure, drawing their owners up from the bench. "Same time tomorrow?" "Wouldn’t miss it for the world,"

As they walk homeward, the gray-bearded man and the gray-haired lady chat with ease, and Muddy and Louie trot side by side, tails high, already inseparable.