Chapter 3 – “Not Yet”
Bruno needed veterinary imaging.
Anna knew that.
So did Elisa.
At 4:20 p.m., Anna asked:
“When are we taking him?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Why tomorrow?”
“Our regular clinic can see him then.”
“There is an emergency clinic thirty minutes away.”
Elisa was typing on her phone.
“It’s expensive.”
“We’ve already raised over four thousand euros.”
Elisa looked up.
Anna regretted the sentence immediately.
“How do you know?”
“The donation counter is public.”
Elisa smiled slightly.
“Four thousand sounds like a lot until you’ve run a rescue.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
Anna went quiet.
Elisa softened.
“Sorry. I know you’re trying to help.”
She put the phone down.
“But emergency clinics destroy small organisations.”
“He looks like he’s in pain.”
“He’s medicated.”
Anna looked toward the kennel.
“Enough?”
Elisa’s expression changed.
“Anna.”
“What?”
“You’re a student.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t diagnose animals you’re not responsible for.”
The conversation ended there.
That evening Haven Paws posted another video of Bruno.
The caption read:
We are running out of time.
By midnight, donations had passed seven thousand euros.
Bruno did not reach a clinic until the following morning.
