“It’s… a dog?” Julie breathed, her voice filled with both surprise and relief. A large, shaggy mutt lay before them, its fur matted and dirty, but unmistakably a dog. It let out another soft whimper, its tail giving the faintest of wags. Peter exhaled heavily, a faint smile breaking through his tension.
“A dog. All that, and it’s just a stray.” He shook his head, already reaching into his bag for medical supplies. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with.”As Peter worked, Julie stayed by the dog’s head, murmuring soothing words as she gently stroked its fur. The dog’s eyes flickered open briefly, meeting hers with a look of pure exhaustion.