The thing about death was, even when it didn't take properly, it still caused a certain sense of separation. Although from one perspective, the logical one, he'd died a matter of minutes ago, from another perspective it could have been any length of time. Thus, he was able to manage a slight smile despite the traumatic experience. "You're a good dog, Wishbone," Batiatus told him, presuming that if talking dogs still enjoyed the same treatment as usual dogs, 'good dog' would remain a primary compliment. He wondered if Wishbone had an owner- perhaps if so, they'd prove to be a more properly Cthonian figure.