The pup had yelped in its sleep. Avarris was instantly awake. At first, she had tried to feed it, offered it water, only to have it turn its head away. "All I can do is be here." She sighed softly. The little pup inched slowly to her, climbing onto her lap, it lowered its head and whimpered softly. "I know." Avarris felt the tears in her eyes. "You miss your Mommy a Daddy. I know. I watched my parents fall too. I know how you feel." She held the pup firmly with one hand, while making small soft strokes along its neck and back. "But I know; their last thoughts were of you. They loved you more than anything else in the world. So you have to get better for them." She gently pulled the pup up into her arms, placing its head against her neck. "You and me; we're going to be okay." She closed her eyes tightly as memories of her parents deaths flashed freshly through her mind. Her eyes flashed open in an instant as the pup raised its small head and placed its cheek against hers. A faint smile touched her lips. "You and me." She sighed softly as she gently rocked back and forth.