I settle onto a car bench seat, torn out of the vehicle it was made for and dumped on the hard ground. It's comfortable still, no springs emerging, the upholstery actually intact. My body isn't tired, I realize, just my heart. So when Poppy appears, the sling around her neck once again, two wiggling puppies poking their heads out, I slide down and make room for her to join me.

I help her feed Shine and Shade, so happy to see them, smiling as their little tongues sweep over my ...