Hours later, the rain had stopped. Dawn light slipped through the clinic windows, washing the room in soft gold. Thomas stirred awake to the sound of soft breathing.
The mother dog was awake—weak but alive. The puppy, now dry and warm, nestled against her belly, nursing quietly.
Thomas rubbed his eyes, relief flooding through him. “You did it, mama,” he whispered. “You kept him safe.”
The vet smiled from across the room. “You both did.” And for the first time in a long while, Thomas felt the heavy quiet of gratitude settle over his heart.
