Muhammad Hammad

A Paw in My Heart

The first time I saw him, he was nothing but a trembling ball of fur hiding behind a trash bin in the pouring rain. I didn’t mean to stop. I was late for work, drenched, and frustrated with everything that morning. But something in his eyes — eyes too wise and weary for such a small creature — made me pause. He didn’t bark. He didn’t whine. He just looked at me, like he was waiting.