What are you doing?!” shouted the mother, sharply shielding her daughter and pulling her close. “Get the dog away!”

Alex pulled the leash and gave a command, but Bim did not obey. He continued barking and growling, eyes fixed on the plush toy.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” said the officer, “but I am required to check you. It’s a standard procedure. Please come with me.”

The inspection yielded no results: the luggage was clean, documents in order, no traces of prohibited substances. But Bim kept barking fiercely, never taking his eyes off the toy.

“Buddy, everything’s clean here,” whispered Alex, bending down to the dog. “What’s bothering you?”

Bim barked, then pressed his nose again against the teddy bear.

“Can we go now?” asked the mother impatiently. “Our flight to Lisbon leaves in an hour.”