She spent the following days preparing. When the rescue team arrived, Cassandra knelt beside Reggie one last time, running her hands through his short, bristled fur. “I love you,” she whispered. Reggie looked at her, tail still, expression unreadable, then stepped into the waiting van bound for a sanctuary trained to manage dogs like him.
Bar Harbor buzzed with the tale, but surprisingly, neighbors began to check in—dropping off casseroles, offering help. The wall between Cassandra and the town began to crack.