CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN – THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE

Time snapped back into its regular cadence as a veritable forest of hands shot skyward, waving and grasping in a frenzied effort to intercept the hapless pup. Dr. Emilia Reyes, the office's surgical specialist, made a particularly acrobatic lunge, practically vaulting over the low sofa in her eagerness to be the lucky catcher. For one heart-stopping moment, it seemed her exaggerated efforts might pay off as her fingers whispered against the Chihuahua's furry haunches. But the angle was all wrong, sending the poor animal into a pinwheeling tailspin that carried it spinning over her outstretched palms and directly toward... "Incoming!" someone yelped in a strangled tone. Tina let out an undignified squawk of alarm, recoiling instinctively away from the streaking form. The Chihuahua let out a high-pitched yap, flailing wildly as it hurtled past her ear with mere inches to spare. Molly wasn't quite so fortunate; her freckled nose scrunched in a pained grimace as the frightened ball