"...but then horses were really really little," he's finishing, having gotten off track with different kinds of ancient animals, and he trails off a little, because horses remind him of Nellie.

As soon as they round the outside of the gate, Bopp yips in excitement, and it's a good distraction: Luke runs ahead and slides to his knees to go wrap her wriggly self in a hug and unwrap her leash.

"Bopp, you were so good," he tells her earnestly. "Thank you for waiting." She puts her paws up on his chest and licks his face and nuzzles him, and he smiles, wrinkling up his face. "Ew, sloppy kisses," he says to Caleb, but he's grinning again.