Frank and Ellie have a quiet way of taking care of each other.
Frank is a 12-year-old Boxer mix with a gray muzzle and a calm personality.
Ellie is an 11-year-old Labrador mix who is gentle, affectionate, and a little more cautious.
Neither dog moves as quickly as they once did.
But they don't seem to care.
They have learned to match each other's pace.
Every morning, when the shelter staff open the kennel door, Frank usually steps outside first.
He walks slowly into the exercise yard.
Ellie follows behind him.
She doesn't rush.
Frank doesn't look back often.
He seems to know she is there.
They walk around the yard together.
Frank likes to sniff along the fence.
Ellie likes to investigate the grass.
Sometimes they stop in completely different places.
But after a few moments, one of them always moves toward the other.
Then they continue together.
The staff first noticed how closely connected they were when Ellie became tired during one of their walks.
She stopped beneath a tree.
Frank was several feet ahead.
He looked back.
Then he turned around and slowly walked toward her.
He stood beside her.
Ellie leaned against him.
Neither dog moved for a while.
It was such a simple moment.
But the staff began noticing more.
At mealtime, Frank eats slowly.
Ellie usually waits nearby until he finishes.
When they return to their kennel, Ellie often settles down first.
Frank waits until she is comfortable.
Then he lies beside her.
They have two blankets.
But they rarely use them separately.
One afternoon, a staff member placed the blankets on opposite sides of the kennel.
Frank picked up his blanket.
He carried it across the floor.
Then he dropped it beside Ellie.
He curled up next to her.
Ellie lifted her head.
Then she rested it against his shoulder.
The staff member smiled.
They had seen this kind of behavior before.
Sometimes dogs become each other's source of comfort in shelters.
But with Frank and Ellie, it seemed especially consistent.
When one rests, the other rests.
When one gets up, the other notices.
When one becomes uncertain, the other moves closer.
They don't need to be constantly playing.
They don't even need to be touching all the time.
They simply seem calmer when they know the other one is nearby.
Both dogs are seniors.
Frank's muzzle is gray.
Ellie's face is beginning to show her age too.
Their walks are short.
Their naps are long.
And they enjoy quiet afternoons more than busy play sessions.
But neither dog has stopped enjoying life.
Frank still gets excited when he sees the leash.
Ellie still gets a little happy when she hears the treat bag.
They still enjoy sniffing the yard.
They still look toward the door when someone approaches.
And they still have plenty of affection to give.