Thirty minutes later, when Lucy calls, interrupting our unexpected catch-up, I talk to her briefly before leaving Moses in the nursery. With Moses serving as beta and Lucy being the pack healer, they have to be available to packmates at all times. I’m guessing Lucy’s having to deal with issues she hasn’t had to deal with before, in my father and Moses’ absence.

Since I stopped hearing Mack and Faith out in the garden some time ago, it doesn’t come as a surprise to step outside and ...