The day passed in a blur, my thoughts consumed by the mystery of Max’s past. At work, I found it difficult to concentrate, my mind drifting back to the image of the abandoned dog and the forlorn look in his eyes. When I returned home that evening, Max was there to greet me, wagging his tail tentatively, as if testing the waters of a new life.

Over the following weeks, Max became a part of my routine, his presence a comforting constant. Each day, I discovered more about his personality — his love for chasing after sticks, his penchant for curling up at my feet, and the way he leaned against me, trusting and secure.