The downtown walk was different without Gus working his circuit. Just Dad and I, past the storefronts where other dogs might have been greeted, through the quieter streets where his particular enthusiasms usually set the pace. Outside the pub, the sun found a patch of concrete that held yesterday’s warmth. I settled into it while Dad disappeared behind glass doors that smell of hops and conversation.

The hazy IPA took its time. I watched the foot traffic—people emerging from shops with small bags, the purposeful stride of errands. A child pointed at me from across the street. Her mother smiled and waved. I acknowledged this with the dignity it deserved.

When Dad returned, there was foam on his mustache and contentment in his step. The walk home felt longer, though the distance hadn’t changed. Some absences expand the space they leave behind.

#pawscarwilde #downtownbend