“Hey there, sweetheart,” Janet said softly, kneeling down to his eye level. “Are you alright?”

The boy’s lips trembled. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. His eyes darted nervously to Max, then back to her.

“This is Max,” Janet said, gesturing toward the dog. “He’s a good boy. He’s here to help too.”

Something in the child’s posture shifted—just a little. Max, as if sensing the moment, stepped forward and sniffed gently at the boy’s hand before nudging it with his nose. Janet knew Max didn’t always warm up to kids immediately, but this time was different. His movements were slow, deliberate, comforting