She lay on the damp grass, clutching her last puppy as if the world had vanished around them. Her breathing was ragged, his tiny squeaks barely audible. Pain was etched into her face, but what struck her most were the tears—real, heavy, falling from his black fur. Once strong and loyal, she’d been left chained beside an abandoned barn, starved and forgotten. Her owners had used her for protection, then discarded her, ignoring her cries and the needs of her newborns.
Out of each litter, only a few ever survived. The rest disappeared, and no one cared. But this time, when the stick was raised, she broke free. She grabbed one puppy and ran, the chain snapping behind her. She couldn’t save the others—but this one, she could try.Now, she lay beside him, warming his fragile body, tears pleading to the world: Please, let this one live.
