The truth is there is no Sebastian...

Not any more. He died a week ago. And the dog I am taking on our last walk together is a phantom dog. I have his lead and I have his stick. I walk the same way as we did on our last afternoon. I talk to him, and I say the same things I always did... But it is only a shadow running beside me up Dog Hill, and down again through the fallen leaves. I am alone. And I am heavy with grief for him.