An elderly man living with Parkinson’s discovered a shivering senior dog at his gate — and somehow, their unsteady bodies became a source of calm for one another.

over her ribs.

She placed her chin over my wrist.

For several minutes, we simply trembled together.

Then my fingers slowed.

Her breathing deepened.

The room didn’t become easy.

It became bearable.

That distinction saved me more than once.

When the lights came back, I didn’t move right away. Neither did she.

“We are still here,” I said.

Mabel sighed, as though continue reading …