Benjamin’s eyes had to adjust to what little light escaped from the moon behind the clouds and the dimly lit lamppost by the pond. He looked over at the dark oak tree. Sitting underneath, looking at him, was the rat-terrier. He eased the door shut and walked slowly toward the dog. Paco got up and walked toward the tall, sandy-haired boy.

“Hello, boy,” Paco said quietly.

Benjamin couldn’t believe it. “So I’m really not dreaming this?”

Paco smiled. “No, you’re not.”

“Huh…how is this possible?”

“I, too, find it amazing . . . that humans can talk.” Benjamin looked blank. “That was a joke. What is your name, boy?”

“Benjamin Biggs. What’s yours?”

“Paco. Just Paco.”

Benjamin smiled. “Nice to meet you, Paco just Paco.”

“No, no. You’ve got it wrong–”

“That was a joke.”

After a brief moment the dog emitted a sound that was half-bark, half-laugh.

This put Benjamin at ease. “It’s nice to meet you, Paco. That is, here by the tree, alone.” He glanced at the fox den.

“Yes, I’m sure this morning was quite a shock to you.”

Benjamin exhaled a long breath. “I thought it wasn’t real.”

“Oh, it’s very real. You’re the only human we have ever seen down there. But more importantly, you’re the only human who has understood us.”

Benjamin and Paco walked to a little grassy strip along the driveway that overlooked the pond. The moon peeked out of the clouds and reflected off thousands of silver ripples in the water. A soft breeze touched Benjamin’s face as they sat side by side, gazing at the tall, shadowy cottonwood trees that lined the other side of the pond.

“Why am I the only human who can understand you?”

Paco looked at the moon’s reflection in the water. “That’s a nice collar on your wrist, Benjamin.”

“It was my dog’s. I know it’s silly to wear it, but…”

“Pugsly was our king.”

Benjamin was both confused and stunned. “King? Pugsly? My Pugsly?”

Paco looked into Benjamin’s eyes. “Only the kings of our world have worn the collar that’s on your wrist. It’s special, but apparently more special than we ever knew.”

Benjamin held his wrist to his face and watched the silver-blue tag sparkle in the moonlight. “This is the reason I can hear you?”

Paco nodded. “Now let me ask you, how did Pugsly die?”

“You told me you could explain–”

“I know, I know. But how do you think he died?”

“Because he was old. It was his time.”

Paco shook his head. “No, boy. My king, your dog, was murdered.”

“Murdered?!” Benjamin gasped.

“Assassinated, to be precise.”

“Who would want to hurt poor ol’ Pugsly?”

“Benjamin, our kingdom has many enemies. There are wild animals out there who don’t understand us–why we live the way we live.”