In that moment, the veterinarian entered, hearing snatches of their conversation. He patted Kim’s shoulder approvingly. “She’s the one who urged me to hold off on euthanasia,” he said. “Told me something good would happen, even when I doubted.” Derrick bowed his head, overwhelmed by the chain of compassion.
Kim inhaled shakily, fiddling with her ID badge. “I’ve seen too many animals put down for lack of funds. I thought… maybe social media could help.” Derrick swallowed hard, remembering the endless rejections he faced. Yet here was living proof that empathy could cross barriers he never imagined.