This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt of February 23, 2026: Write a story with an animal as a character.

Angelic Excursions

Uriel is ready for his next mission to Earth, this time in the form of a retriever.

A golden, of course.

“Now remember to stick to your mission,” Francis says. He grabs Uriel’s tail which is wagging frenetically. “You know what this body does to you. No squirrels, no garbage trucks, no rolling in mud.”

“I know, I know,” Uriel says.

“And that’s another thing, no talking. You almost gave that woman in Warsaw a heart attack that one time.”

“She did think it was a miracle though,” Uriel says, the last word coming out a joyous bark. Francis lets him go and he bounds for the pearly gate. No need to open it; heaven has had doggie doors installed since way back.

Down below, he is joined by another angel posing as his owner. After all, you can’t do much good if you’re immediately picked up by Animal Control. Still, they know that it’s Uriel who will be in charge. They are in a park and Uriel leads the way down the flower-lined path, looking for his first target (sniffing a bit along the way when he smells another dog; he tells himself that it’s just to play the part well).

There he is, a small boy walking hand in hand with an older woman. The boy has a lost expression. Uriel knows that the boy’s parents were killed last night in a car accident, and the boy found out an hour ago. His grandmother suggested a walk in the park to distract him. It’s not working.

Uriel approaches and nuzzles the boy’s hand. The boy looks down, then hesitantly puts a small hand on the angel’s warm fur. Uriel feels the small fingers grip.

There is hope, Uriel whispers to the boy’s spirit. God loves you. He is grieving with you. Stay strong, small one.

“What a nice dog,” the grandmother is saying. “What’s his name?”

“Angelo,” Uriel’s supposed owner says. A little on the snout, Uriel thinks.

The boy breathes easier and smiles at the dog. Uriel licks at his face. The boy reaches down and kisses the top of Uriel’s head. Uriel can feel tears dripping gently onto his fur.

They walk down to where two paths intersect. A woman is sitting at the crossroads on a park bench, drawn into herself and crying softly. She received the cancer diagnosis two months ago and has just gotten the first bill which her insurance says they won’t cover. Her world seems to be falling apart.

Uriel knows that help is coming for her, but she needs encouragement now. He barks, and she looks up towards him. Their eyes meet.

You are loved.

Uriel bounds towards her, putting his head in her lap, letting her scratch behind his ears and pet his silky fur.

Don’t give up, he whispers to her spirit. You are not forgotten.

“Thank you,” she whispers to him. “I think you were sent by God.”

If only you knew, Uriel thinks. He barks and is happy to see her smile.