With the situation defused, the police took their leave, satisfied that no crime had occurred. As the woman and her daughter left, the little girl waved at Rocky, who wagged his tail in response, happy to have made a new friend.

I sat down beside Rocky, scratching his ears. “Good boy, Rocky,” I murmured. “You handled that like a champ.” Rocky nudged my hand with his nose, then settled down beside me, content and happy, ever the gentle giant in our little corner of the world.