Pedro stared, stunned. His chest tightened as realization washed over him—this is why she hadn’t come. He dropped to his knees, overwhelmed. He scooped her up with great care, wrapping one arm around her frail body. One by one, he lifted the tiny pups and tucked them into the deep inner pocket of his jacket, where they nestled into the warmth. He turned and ran back to the run, driving straight to the nearest vet.
The vet took them in immediately. After a thorough check-up, she smiled and said, “She’s just weak and undernourished. The pups are healthy too.” Relief hit Pedro like a soft flood. He thanked her again and again, eyes misty, heart thudding. They were all okay. That was all that mattered.