After Robert’s funeral, Emily considered taking the portrait down.
Every time she looked at it, she remembered her father.
But Max would not let her.
Whenever Emily approached the frame, the dog immediately sat beneath it.
He looked up.
Then lifted his paws.
So Emily left it exactly where it was.
Days became weeks.
Weeks became months.
Max never forgot the routine.
At the same time each evening, he returned to the portrait.
Emily slowly understood.
Max was not performing a trick.
He was repeating the last peaceful ritual he remembered sharing with Robert.
One evening, Emily sat beside him.
Max lifted his paws.
Emily folded her hands.
For several quiet seconds, neither moved.
And for the first time since her father died, Emily did not feel completely alone.
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