Liam sat by the window, adjusting his seatbelt as the plane slowly filled with passengers. Atlas, his large German Shepherd, lay quietly at his feet. Liam worked as a behavioral consultant for service dogs and therapy programs, traveling frequently to assess training standards. Today, Atlas accompanied him as part of his work.
As passengers boarded, Liam noticed several eyes turning toward him and Atlas. He wasn’t bothered; people often stared at his dogs, curious or uneasy. Atlas, trained for professional work, remained calm, lying at Liam’s feet. Liam ran a hand over his head, reassuring the dog, and preparing for the long flight ahead.
A woman in her mid-forties noticed him as soon as she stepped onto the plane. Her eyes immediately widened at the sight of the large dog. She hesitated for a moment, her body stiffening. As she sat in front of Liam’s seat, she muttered loud enough for him to hear, “Why do they let people bring these…things on planes?”