I was raised on the stories of the original covenants. My dam tought me the stories of Wolf and Cat, and the promises that were made so very long ago.

But I have to confess, I have failed. For me, at least, the covenant has been broken, and I don’t know how to fix it.

Master always calls me a Good Dog, but I don’t feel that way anymore. There is a demon, a twisted spirit that is attacking my master, and I am powerless to stop it.

Not long ago, my Masters mate left the den, and ever since then, my Master has been afflicted by the demon. Every day, he goes off to who knows where to do the Human things that humans do, but when he comes back, the demon gets him again. He comes home, and drinks the Sadness Water, and I can only watch, helpless, as the demon ravages him.

I try to lick his face, as I often do, but the Sadness still won’t let him go. I try to be a Good Dog, and follow all of Master’s rules, but still the Sadness won’t let him go.

It’s gotten so bad that even The Cat has noticed. I spoke with him the other day and wondered if there was anything we could do to help. It’s not often that a Cat and a Good Dog can come together on anything, but this has become so severe that we are out of other options.

Cat, as smart and as crafty as he is, is at a complete loss. I must admit that I’ve admired Cat, for his craftiness and intelligence. He always knows what to do. But even Cat doesn’t know how to help The Master. Cat sings to him, every day, but The Master only ever gets sadder and sadder.

I think He misses the human pup.

I’m just a Good Dog. I don’t know how to help Him. He won’t even throw The Ball anymore, which is truly the Worst Thing Ever. All I want is to hear His strange human yipping again. I haven’t heard Him happy in a long time.

Maybe I’m a (gasp) Bad Dog?

Master is sad, and now I am too.