Pedro had seen his fair share of stray dogs in the area. Some barked, some begged, and some simply passed by. But this little pup—quiet, observant—kept showing up under the tree near his shop, never causing trouble. Just sitting, eyes half-closed, ears twitching at every sound.
At first, Pedro didn’t pay her much attention. He was busy—students lined up from morning till late evening, orders flying, ketchup bottles squirting, jokes exchanged. But Lola stayed. Day after day, she’d lie beneath the tree, occasionally glancing his way, her ribs just slightly visible under her light coat.