I offered to show her the documents, but she stormed to the counter instead, pointing at Max. Passengers whispered—some sympathetic, others skeptical. My heart raced. Max laid his head on my hand, grounding me.

The agent approached, the triumphant woman in tow.

— “May I see your papers, ma’am?”

I handed over the complete file. He checked, nodded, and smiled:

— “Everything is in order. Your dog is authorized to travel with you.”

A weight lifted off my shoulders. But it wasn’t over.