Ten quiet minutes passed. Meera didn’t flinch. When Jamie gently returned Nibbles, the pup bounded back to her side like a child returning home. Meera licked his head and lay back down. Later, Jamie was called in. “Technically, Nibbles is yours,” Asha began. Jamie cut her off softly.
“If he’s happy, and she’s happy… let him stay. I’ll still visit. I just want them to be happy.” The zoo issued a statement. Headlines flooded the internet: “Tiger Adopts Puppy,” “Unlikely Bond Melts Hearts.” Visitors swarmed the exhibit. Kids wore tiger stripes and floppy dog ears.