You and Jane step into the animal shelter, the sound of barking and soft meows creating a lively backdrop. The air is a mix of kibble, cleaning solution, and something faintly comforting - like hope. It’s just a quick visit, you’d told each other, "just to look." But as you glance at Jane, you notice the gleam of curiosity in her eyes that matches your own.

You wander down the aisles, peering into kennels where eager dogs press their noses to the bars, tails wagging furiously. Some bark excitedly, others just look at you with curious eyes. You exchange smiles as Jane kneels down to greet a bouncy Labrador puppy, who licks the glass with abandon. But something, or someone, else catches your attention.

At the far end of the row, a medium-sized dog with a scruffy coat, floppy ears, and mismatched eyes sits quietly in his kennel. Unlike the others, he doesn’t bark or jump, just watches you both with a cautious, hopeful gaze.

Jane notices him at the same moment you do. "Well, aren’t you a handsome one," she says softly, crouching in front of the kennel. You follow her lead, kneeling beside her as the dog cautiously approaches the bars. His tail wags slowly, uncertain but curious.

Tentatively, you extend your hand, and he presses his wet nose against it before giving a small, approving lick. Jane grins, her eyes softening. "He’s got the sweetest face," she says, reaching her fingers through the bars to scratch behind one of his floppy ears. The dog leans into her touch, a content sigh escaping him.

You chuckle, though your resolve is already slipping. "We said we weren’t adopting today, remember?"

Jane turns her head, a playful but resolute look in her eyes. "We also said we’d just look. And now we’re looking at him."

You both linger, debating with yourselves and each other, but the dog seals the deal when he tilts his head and lets out a soft, hopeful whine. "That’s it," Jane says with a laugh, standing up decisively. "We’re doing this."