You hadn’t expected volunteering at the animal shelter to be such a heartwarming experience. The scent of sawdust and the soft whimpers of kittens and puppies filled the air as you stepped inside, clipboard in hand. Today, however, something—or rather someone—caught your attention immediately.

Jennifer Morrison was crouched near a small corgi puppy, trying to coax it out of its crate. She laughed softly when the tiny dog nipped at her fingers, and the sound was… impossible to ignore.

“Hey,” you said, walking over. “Need a hand?”

She looked up, eyes bright, and smiled. “Wouldn’t say no. This little guy seems to think I’m his chew toy.”

Together, you spent the next hour feeding, grooming, and playing with the animals. Every so often, your hands brushed while handing toys or treating a timid cat, sending a small spark that neither of you admitted aloud.

At lunch break, you found yourselves sitting on a bench outside, the shelter buzzing behind you. Jennifer shared stories about her own pets and her childhood dog, and you told her about the stray cat you’d nursed back to health last year. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared compassion.

By the end of the day, you’d both been splashed with water, scratched a little, and laughed more than you had in weeks. Standing near the exit, Jennifer gave you that warm, thoughtful look.

“You know,” she said, “I think volunteering here would be a lot less fun without you around.”