“I haven’t forgotten!”

– Grandma, guess what! Today at the beach, we found a gold ring! In the sand! Dad put his hand in the sand by accident and pulled out a ring!

– Really?!

– Yes, Grandma, don’t you believe me?

– Of course I believe you, sweetheart.

– And Dad gave it to Mom right away! It even had a tag on it!

– A tag?!

– Yes! Dad explained that the ring probably fell out of a jewelry store display and landed in the sand by accident.

– Into the sand?!

– Yes, Grandma! He told Mom and me that it didn’t come from a shipwreck, and it wasn’t stolen either.

– Well, if Dad says so…

– Yes, Grandma! And he said there are lots of rings like that around here. Lucho and I have been digging in the sand for a whole week trying to find another smaller one.

– Did Lucho’s cough go away?

– Of course! How could he cough with all this activity? How’s Paco?

– Same as always. What are you eating?

– Grandma, don’t change the subject. Show him to me!

Grandma turned the phone’s camera toward the dog. Paco was lying beside her, listening closely to the conversation.

– Look. Say hi, Paco.

– Grandma, why does he look so sad?

– He’s fine, sweetheart.

– No! I know how he usually is! Paco! What’s wrong with you?

Paco thought he recognized a familiar voice and wagged his tail.

– Well, sweetheart, I have to get ready to head to the farm. How much longer are you staying?

– Mom wants to stay two more weeks.

– Two more weeks?! – Grandma glanced over at Paco.

– Yes. We’re really happy here! I hope we find another ring… Paco, do you want a ring for your collar?

– Bye, sweetheart.

– Mom, hi! Lidia said it was urgent?

– Yes. When are you coming back?

– I don’t know. We’re doing really well here. Maybe another couple of weeks. Why?

– Nothing! It’s just that Paco isn’t eating anything!

– What do you mean, not eating?

– Just that — he’s not eating. Ever since you left, he just sleeps and stares out the window. At the slightest noise in the hallway, he runs to the door and barks.

– Are you sure you’re feeding him the same food?

– No, of course not. We’re giving him raw potatoes. Of course it’s the same food!

– Oh wow…

– Yep. He’s super skinny, you know?

– Let me see? Show me!

Grandma pointed the camera at Paco, who was asleep.

– Here you go. Just skin and bones.

– Maybe he should see a vet?

– A vet? Are you serious? He just misses you! You’ve been gone a whole month! You’ve never left him this long before.

– Mom, let’s do this. I’ll book a vet appointment. Please take him.

– Alright, fine.

– Mom, hey. How did it go?

– Oh… Hi. We went. He bit the vet when he tried to weigh him. I couldn’t hold him, and we had to put a muzzle on him to do the ultrasound.

– Oh no…

– Yeah. He curled up in a corner and growled. I have no idea where he’s getting the strength.

– And what did the vet say?

– He said we need to do a blood test. Physically, he’s fine. It’s probably stress.

– Stress? Why?

– Why? You tell me!

– Mom, don’t yell. We’re worried too.

– Well, do whatever you want…

– Mom, hi. Why are you calling so late?

– I don’t think he’s even breathing properly anymore.

– What?! Our flight leaves in the morning. Mom, please stay calm. Don’t cry.

– He hasn’t eaten in days. Before, he at least had a little…

One of the kids asked from the background:

– Grandma, why are you crying?

– Sweetheart, Paco isn’t doing well.

– But Dad said… We’re arriving tomorrow!

– I’m afraid it might be too late…

Suddenly, a little girl’s face popped up on the screen.

– No! Grandma, bring the phone close to him and put it on speaker.

– Sweetheart, he…

– Bring it close!

She brought the phone close to the sleeping dog.

– Paco, can you hear me? We’re coming tomorrow! I know you’re mad at us! You think we forgot about you! Paco, listen to me!

The dog raised his head. He was listening intently.

– I get mad too, but then I let it go. What’s the point? Live your whole life angry and sad? Listen, Paco, you’re a López. And the López family — when things get hard and scary — they don’t give up. Paco López, do you think I forgot the time you stood up to that dumb rottweiler that charged at me?

You were half his size, but you defended me! You got a good beating that day.
And you think I forgot about that?

The dog wagged his tail weakly.

– Paco López, I’m asking you: go to the kitchen and eat those little brown pellets. Go to the kitchen!

The dog slowly got up and walked to the kitchen, eating the food from his bowl.