I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. I had grown attached to the tiny creatures, and I could see that Marsa had too. The idea of parting with them so soon was unexpectedly difficult.

As I stood to gather the puppies, Marsa watched me with her bright, intelligent eyes. She seemed to understand that this was necessary, but I still stroked her softly, whispering, “Thank you for taking care of them, Marsa.”

The officer and Mrs. Miller left shortly after, promising to keep us updated on the puppies’ return. Lili and I watched from the doorway as Marsa prowled the yard, still clearly on alert. I couldn’t help but admire her bravery and compassion, qualities I had underestimated in my feline companion.