Gary was ruining my life.

Writing has taken to acting as a camera for moments where plain pictures will not suffice. Instead of running away and finding fantasy in the different worlds fortified by gates of words, I now turn to recognize the difference between the way a loved one smiles and the smile of love that creeps across my best friend’s face.

TO CHASE THE TALE BY JACKLYN HESLOP 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 41

When all hope is lost, when my world consists only of the same shade of an ugly purple, or when the only warmth in the world comes from my bed, I see a dog wag its tail.

Dogs can smile with teeth hanging out, and recklessly greet you with their fluffy body, or they grunt while sliding to your feet. They are our loyal friends and willing companions through everything the human world throws at us.

I have this little black lab with brightly distracted eyes and apprehensively aggressive feet. I call him Gary.

As a puppy, Gary led the way on grand adventures. I would write plots of princesses who hated standi…