The police officer blinked, then tried to move his fingers. The puppy barked happily and rubbed his nose against his cheek, as if calling him back to life completely.

No one could explain this phenomenon — perhaps the familiar smell, the voice, the dog’s presence had triggered the deepest mechanisms of the brain, awakening memory and the will to live.

The officer was weak, but regained consciousness, and for the first time in a long while his gaze focused — directly on the joyful Lari. It even seemed like he tried to smile.

The doctors, barely recovering from their shock, exchanged glances — and one of them quietly said:

— Well, buddy… looks like it wasn’t in vain that we let him say goodbye.