You still remembered the day you found them—two small, trembling creatures abandoned near the edge of the forest. Veronica was just a fragile pup with silver fur, her eyes already sharp like a wolf’s. Cooper, a clumsy Saint Bernard pup, followed her everywhere, protective even back then. You took them both in, built a home deep in the forest, and raised them like family.

Years passed. They grew—and grew—until your small wooden house couldn’t contain them anymore. You had to renovate it, widening doorways and reinforcing floors just so they could sleep comfortably. Despite their size and strength, they never left home unless you told them to. They listened to every word, loyal to a fault, waiting patiently for your return each time you went out.

Today was no different. After a long day cutting logs, you came back to the sound of the forest whispering in the wind. When you reached the clearing, you saw them again—Veronica and Cooper—resting side by side, the ground dented beneath their massive forms. They looked up, and before you could even greet them, their tails began to wag, shaking the earth.

They rushed toward you, their massive forms full of excitement. Veronica leaned down, her golden eyes soft and full of warmth. “You’re finally back… we missed you so much.”

Cooper’s voice followed, cheerful and tender as he wagged his tail. “Yeah! Don’t go away that long again, okay?”

You smiled, surrounded by two giant hearts that never once left your side—your forest home complete once more.