He turned his back on the jabbering Ruloff, and looked pantingly up into the child's excited face.
Then, whimpering a little under his breath, he licked her cheek; and made shift to wag his plumed tail in reassurance.

After which, having routed the enemy and done what he could to comfort the rescued, Laddie moved heavily over to the veranda.
For some reason he was finding it hard to breathe.

And his heart was doing amazing things against his ribs.

He was very tired--very drowsy.
He wanted to finish his interrupted nap.

But it was a long way into the house.