“Don’t take him away,” she pleaded. “He’s tired.”
Dr. Briggs approached cautiously, kneeling beside the animal. Up close, the injuries were catastrophic — fractured ribs, deep bruising, and blood freezing into his fur. The smell of snow and iron filled the clinic.
“What happened?” he asked.
Claire struggled to speak. “A pickup lost control… sliding straight toward the crosswalk. Harper didn’t see it. This dog came out of nowhere and shoved her out of the way.”
The room went silent.
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