Thomas crouched beside the exhausted mother. “Alright, girl. I’ve got your baby safe and warm.” She gave a weak wag of her tail, barely more than a twitch.
The mud had hardened around her back legs like cement. He dug with his bare hands, ignoring the sting of cold water seeping through his sleeves.
After several minutes, he freed her enough to lift. She whimpered once as he wrapped his jacket around her, but she didn’t resist.
With all the strength he had left, Thomas carried her toward the faint glow of the truck’s headlights cutting through the storm.
