“You guys want to see the new litter?” the breeder said to Karina and Prem. “Five days old. Cute as can be.”

They followed him into the house, where a large crate on the living room floor held a mass of curly golden fur. As he drew closer, Keith could make out five very small puppies sleeping nuzzled into their mother, who warily eyed the humans as they approached the crate. The breeder knelt down and lowered his voice. “They were born on Tuesday. This is Daisy’s first litter, so she’s extra protective.” He unlatched the crate and gently reached inside toward the closest puppy.

“Why aren’t they outside with the other dogs?” Prem asked.

“They can’t be around other dogs until they get their shots,” Karina said. “Just in case they’re exposed to something.”

“That’s right.” The breeder looked impressed as he glanced up at Keith and Jaya. “Someone’s done her homework.” He held the puppy close to his chest and nodded toward Karina, who knelt down and took the tiny bundle from him as if she’d been handling puppies all her life. The smile on Karina’s face was beatific. Even Prem was watching his sister with wide eyes.

“Three are spoken for, but I’ve got one girl and one boy left, if you’re interested. That’s the boy.” He pointed to the puppy on the floor. “And here,” he said, reaching into the crate with both hands and pulling out a tiny fur ball, “is the girl.”

“The runt?” Karina asked, looking up at the breeder, who nodded back. Karina took the tiny puppy and held it close to her chest. “She’s the smallest of the litter, so it’s hard for her to compete for food and attention.”

The breeder nodded. “The runt can be a little harder to care for and might have some issues. But Daisy hasn’t rejected this one, so she’s been growing.”

Karina was whispering to the puppy, nuzzling the dog’s head with her nose and smiling from somewhere deep within. Keith felt his heart catch in his chest, with this glimpse of the joyful child inside his often brooding teenage daughter. He glanced over to Jaya and saw her eyes brimming with tears. She met his gaze and smiled, and one tear spilled down her cheek. He squeezed her hand. The puppy reached out her pink tongue and began lapping at Karina’s face. She giggled and the rest of them followed suit. Prem now had his chin down on the carpet, trying to get eye-to-eye with the other puppy, his face within biting or clawing range. Keith expected Jaya to warn him, but she just crouched down to the floor behind Karina. “What do you think, honey?” Jaya said. “Would you like to adopt one?” Keith’s heart swelled with pride.

Karina nodded without looking away from the puppy in her hands. “This one.”

“The little one? Are you sure?” Jaya asked.

Karina turned to them and Keith caught a hint of the same steely resolve in her eyes that he’d often seen in Jaya’s. “Positive,” she said.