Tom watched, ready to intervene at any sign of danger, yet what he witnessed was nothing short of miraculous. Ranger, the shelter’s most aggressive dog, was showing vulnerability, his eyes softening as if recognizing a kindred spirit in Lily.

In a move that stunned everyone, Ranger sat down, his tail giving a hesitant wag. A collective sigh of relief swept through the hallway, tension melting away like snow in the sun.

Lily beamed, her smile infectious. “See, he just needed someone to believe in him,” she said, reaching further to scratch behind Ranger’s ear, a spot that had never before experienced gentle touch.