Chapter 14 - THE FAMILY THEY ALMOST LOST
Orion became ill in the spring.
At first, he refused breakfast.
Then he grew unusually tired.
Dante took him to the veterinarian immediately.
The diagnosis was a serious intestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery.
I held Orion's enormous head while the veterinarian explained the procedure.
Dante stood beside me.
His face was pale.
“Will he survive?”
The veterinarian answered carefully.
“We're going to do everything we can.”
Dante nodded.
But his hands were shaking.
I reached for them.
He looked at me.
“He's all I had for a long time.”
My heart tightened.
I squeezed his fingers.
“You have me too.”
His eyes filled.
For several hours, we waited.
Then the veterinarian returned.
The surgery had been successful.
Orion would need recovery time.
But his prognosis was good.
Dante closed his eyes.
I began crying.
When we were finally allowed to see him, Orion lifted his head.
His tail thumped weakly.
Dante knelt beside him.
“Good boy.”
His voice broke.
Orion leaned into his hand.
May you like
I smiled through tears.
And for the first time, Dante Moretti looked completely happy.
