The baby hadn’t stopped crying since the humans came home.

Barley had been confused by the noises and tried to join in the crying with a few howls of his own, but the humans had shut the squealing infant away from the pup.

It cried into the night, and then the following day, and when the humans weren’t looking, barley took his chance and slipped into the room unseen.

The room was a mess of bottles and nappies, even colourful toys lay exhausted along side pacifiers.

Barley was just small enough to crawl through the bars clumsy and sniff at the new arrival.

It’s face was pink and cries weak, minuscule fists shaking in fury at the world.

The baby paused for a breath as barley sniffed. It smelt like a strange mix of human, tears, and powder that made barley sneeze.

The baby was catching its breath, staring suspiciously at the pup.

Once barley saw the big blue eyes he was in love. Gently, not understanding why, he lay beside the baby.

The hand that had been waving around came to rest on the puppies ear, and suddenly gripped it like a tiny vice.

Though it was uncomfortable, barley let the baby hold onto him, listening to the little breaths calm. The humans soon came in and held those weird black devices over the pair.

Barley expected to be taken away, though he was watched carefully as the humans whispered.

The new arrival slept for a precious few hours, guided by the comfort of barleys ear.