Instead it was two tiny puppies, their coats matted and wet against the cold. They peered up at him with wide, fluttering eyes, their small, round bodies trembling slightly. Alan’s heart swelled with both relief and wonder.
Gently, Alan scooped the puppies into a warm blanket, cradling them against his chest. He hurried inside, mindful of their delicate state, and set them down in a cozy box near the fireplace, where the warmth would help revive them.