Lily extended her hand slowly, palm up, resting it against the cold metal of the enclosure. She didn’t push further, didn’t force the interaction. Instead, she offered Ranger a choice, a gesture of trust and patience.

He hesitated, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air between them. The room fell silent, each onlooker holding their breath in anticipation. Every second stretched into eternity. Then, with a cautious step, Ranger moved forward, his massive head lowering slightly as he sniffed closer to Lily’s hand.