CHAPTER 288: BITTER SWEET MEMORIES 2

Fido also recalled their pet antics. Maya had a habit of bringing home every stray animal she found, much to Fido's dismay. He remembered the time they had ended up with a parrot that had a knack for mimicking Maya's laugh. They had spent hours teaching it silly phrases, and Maya had delighted in showing off their new "talking" pet to everyone who visited. One of the funniest memories was from a trip to the beach when Maya had decided to build the world's tallest sandcastle. Fido had dutifully helped her gather buckets of sand, and Maya had been so proud of their creation. But just as they were putting the finishing touches, a wave had come out of nowhere and washed it all away. Maya's face had been a picture of devastation, but Fido had scooped her up and carried her into the surf, turning her tears into laughter as they splashed and played in the waves. These memories brought a warmth to Fido's heart, easing the ache of loss, if only for a moment. Maya had been his light, his joy