The old yellow lab, Max, whined softly, tail thumping a listless rhythm against the worn wooden floor. He stared out the window, the once vibrant world outside now a blurry mess through his aging eyes. It had been three weeks since Mr. Henderson, his beloved boss, hadn’t come home after work.

Max and Mr. Henderson were inseparable. Every morning, Max would greet him at the door with a flurry of excited barks and a slobbery welcome. They’d walk to the office together, Max trotting proudly beside Mr. Henderson, a leash more of a formality than a necessity. At the office, Max would curl up under Mr. Henderson’s desk, a silent companion through meetings and paperwork. Lunch breaks were spent in the park, frisbees soaring through the air, followed by stolen naps in the warm sunlight.

Max didn’t understand the hushed tones and tear-streaked faces around him. Mrs. Henderson, usually filled with playful pats and gentle words, now moved with a heavy sadness. The scent of Mr. Henderson’s cologne, once a beacon of comfort, had faded from the house, replaced by the sterile smell of cleaning supplies.

One day, a strange man came and took Mr. Henderson’s favorite chair. Max whined, nudging the chair with his nose, hoping for a familiar scent, a reassuring pat. The new man looked down with pity, but his touch was cold and unfamiliar. Max retreated to his bed, a low, mournful growl rumbling in his chest.

The walks to the office continued, but they were joyless now. The leash felt heavy, a constant reminder of the weight missing from his side. Max would sit outside the office door, waiting in vain for Mr. Henderson’s familiar voice to call him in. Eventually, a kind lady with a sad smile would lead him back home, a world that felt increasingly empty without his human.

Max’s once bright eyes dimmed further with each passing day. He barely touched his food, the playful glint in his golden fur replaced by a dull ache. His unconditional love, once a source of boundless energy, now felt like a heavy burden with no one to receive it. Max, the loyal companion, awaited his beloved boss, a love story tragically cut short, leaving only a void filled with the quiet echo of a wagging tail.