Red.

As he turned around to take a sip of water, he saw a flash of something red. He turned around, and there she was, trying to slip out without him noticing. In four long leaps he pounced on her, pinning her to the ground. How can she even think of leaving me? Why does she always sneak out like this? Does she not like me? She tried to wriggle her way out, her favourite red sari getting crushed in the struggle. It was his favourite too.

She rolled him over and stood up, towering over him. "Stay," she commanded. Now that was something he couldn't not do. It was a command that always brought him to a freeze, no matter how hard he tried to not listen to her. Lessons ingrained when he started getting to know her.

"I will be back in 5 mins, I promise. Don't make me lock you up," she pleaded. But her 5 mins was more like 5 hours for him. Doesn't she ever understand that? Don't my despondent eyes ever convince her to never, ever leave me?

He was helpless. Heartbroken, he heard the unmistakable click as she locked the door. He rushed to the window, to catch a glimpse of her, beautiful as ever even in the slightly crushed sari. As she turned around the corner, the last bit of his favourite red disappeared, and so did any hope of her rushing back to him.

He slowly walked to his corner and plopped down on his mat. As he rested his long black muzzle on his furry brown paw, he let out a deep sigh. These hoomans. They never understand.