The wind outside howled softly, sending gusts of snow swirling in delicate, silver patterns. Inside the house, the warmth of a crackling fire painted the room with a soft, golden glow, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls. A large Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, adorned with twinkling lights and carefully hung ornaments that reflected the light like jewels. It was Christmas Eve, and everything felt magical.
One-year-old Athena, a husky with piercing bi-colored eyes, one blue and one brown, sat curled up on the soft rug by the hearth. Her fur was thick and soft, her youthful energy often bounding through the house, but tonight, she was calm, her gaze distant as she stared into the dancing flames. Beside her, still a puppy at only 5 months old, Obito, the malamute, lay with his head resting on his paws. His soft, fluffy body seemed to fill the room with warmth, but there was something more than just the fire in the air tonight. Something… familiar.
They had only been living with their humans for a short time, just long enough to know the comfort of their hands, the sound of their voices, and the love in their hearts and the safety of their forever home. But there was a longing in their hearts, a feeling they couldn’t quite explain, a sense that they were missing something, someone.
Athena lifted her head as a soft, familiar scent drifted across the room, tugging at her senses. It was a scent she didn’t know but somehow felt she had always known, strong, earthy, comforting, like a memory that had been locked away for a long time. Her eyes widened in quiet wonder. She looked at Obito, who was already sitting up, his ears perked, his wide brown eyes scanning the room.
“Do you smell that, Obito?” Athena’s voice was a soft whisper, filled with awe.
Obito nodded, his tail giving a tentative wag. “It’s… it’s familiar, but I can’t place it.”
The scent grew stronger, and the air seemed to shimmer around them. It wasn’t cold, though. It was a warmth, a peace that wrapped around them like a cozy blanket. And then, just as they thought they couldn’t take the suspense any longer, the room seemed to glow, just for a moment, and then, standing before them, was a silhouette.
It was a figure they both recognized without knowing why. A large German Shepherd, noble and strong, with a coat of deep sable and tan. His eyes glowed with wisdom, warmth, and love. He was as regal as he was gentle, his presence filling the room with an overwhelming sense of calm and affection. Athena’s heart fluttered in her chest as she stood up, unsure of whether to approach, but her body moved on its own.
“Zypher?” Athena’s voice trembled, the name slipping from her tongue before she could even think it through. She had heard the name in the stories her humans told, the stories of a dog who had been loved so deeply, but she had never met him.
Obito stood beside her, his body stiff with confusion, but there was an unspoken recognition between him and the spirit of Zypher. His tail slowly began to wag as he took a step forward.
Zypher’s presence seemed to shimmer, like he was made of starlight and memories. His fur shone in the firelight, but it wasn’t quite like the fur of a living dog. There was an ethereal quality to him, as if he existed in a place just beyond the physical world. Yet his eyes, those deep, wise eyes, held a kindness that wrapped around Athena and Obito like a hug.
“Yes, little ones. It is me,” Zypher’s voice resonated softly in the room, though his lips didn’t move. The sound was warm and comforting, as though it came from deep within the heart.
Obito took another tentative step closer, his voice a low rumble in his chest. “Are you… are you real?” he asked, his innocent puppy curiosity mixing with a tinge of awe.
Zypher’s spirit smiled, a gentle, loving smile that made Athena’s heart swell. “I am as real as the love you feel for your humans, Obito. I am as real as the bond that connects us, even beyond the veil. I am always with you, even though you cannot see me.”
Athena stepped forward, her beautiful colored eyes filled with wonder and longing. “They miss you, Zypher. Our humans always speak of you, but we never got the chance to meet you. We want you to know, we love them too. We love them so much.”
Zypher’s spirit lowered his head, his invisible tail sweeping gently behind him as he regarded Athena with a deep, loving gaze. “I know, little one. I know.” His voice was soft, a reflection of the love and care he had always carried in his heart. “And I see how well you both take care of them. You are doing a wonderful job. I’m proud of you.”
Obito let out a soft whine, his eyes brimming with emotion. “It’s hard sometimes. I know we’re just puppies, but… we want to protect them, make them happy, like you did.”
Zypher’s eyes softened, and he stepped closer to the two puppies, his form seeming to glow with an almost tangible warmth. “You already are protecting them, Obito. And as for happiness… that is the gift you give them every day, just by being who you are. Your hearts are full of love, and that is all they need. You have my blessing, both of you, to love them just as I did.”
Athena leaned into Obito, her heart swelling with the words Zypher spoke. She felt as though the room was filled with warmth, not just from the fire, but from something deeper, something everlasting. Zypher had been a guardian, a protector, a companion to their humans, and now, in his spirit, he was watching over them too. His love had not ended; it had transformed into something that would never fade.
“Zypher…” Athena whispered, her voice trembling. “Thank you. We’ll make sure they know how much they’re loved. Just like you always did.”
Zypher nodded, his eyes full of peace. “I know you will, little one. I know you will. And remember, love never fades. Not even when we cross the rainbow bridge. I will always be with you, in every step you take, in every paw print you leave behind.”
With that, Zypher’s spirit slowly began to fade, like mist dissolving in the early morning light. But his presence lingered, like the memory of a song, soft and warm, filling the room. Athena and Obito stood silently, their hearts full, their souls touched by the grace of the spirit who had come to visit them on this magical Christmas Eve.
And though Zypher was no longer physically with them, they knew in that quiet moment that he would always be a part of their family, his love, his guidance, and his memory living on in their hearts, forever.

❤️❤️❤️