49

“Yeah, I thought you’d remember me.” I reached for his head, and he winced, his ears flattening, his eyes closing, but when I touched his soft fur, he opened his eyes again. He looked up at me as I stroked his head. “I know you’re scared. And I know that it’s because you probably realized the same thing I did earlier today—you’re going to see things you’ve tried very hard to forget.”

Another soft whine, and he wrapped his tail tightly around him.

“It won’t be a fun experience, and it might be frightening, but I want you to know that your memories can’t hurt you more than you’ve already been hurt. Today will be the start of the rest of your life, and you’ll be able to look forward instead of back. Understand?”

One of his ears lifted. He stared at me, waiting for more.

“I also want you to know I will be there with you the entire time.” I scratched him under his chin. “And that’s very lucky. You know why? Because I’ve already done this. I know the ropes. You’ll be okay.”

His other ear li