"A shame, but not surprising! Humans go around on their own business, and missing critters? Not a factor, unless their precious cat or livestock goes missing. The animals, however, don't have to worry about going to work, school, paying taxes, any of the dull drudgery of society that occupies too much of the mind!"

He trotted along, and approached Bramble. That's got to be him, snoring like a middle-aged everyman.

"Wakey wakey, old-timer...!" His gentle attempt at waking him. But if he slept like the dead, there was always pressing a paw against that big nose to block it.