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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u2014 And it\u2019s not small either, \u2014 Elena added seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly a memory flashed through Alex\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three weeks earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A nighttime raid at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The police had been chasing an armed group of smugglers. The moment the team entered the building, the criminals opened fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rex had rushed forward first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the operation, Alex noticed that the dog was limping slightly, but no serious wound had been found. Everyone assumed Rex had simply hit himself against a metal crate during the chase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex slowly looked back at the veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Are you saying\u2026 that\u2019s a bullet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Elena nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Judging by its shape, yes. It got lodged between the organs and gradually caused severe inflammation. That\u2019s why his condition has been getting worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the officers muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 But why didn\u2019t anyone find it earlier?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Sometimes it\u2019s extremely hard to detect, \u2014 Elena explained. \u2014 If a bullet enters at a certain angle, the entry wound can be almost invisible. The body tries to isolate the metal, but over time it causes serious poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex continued staring at the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 So\u2026 he isn\u2019t dying?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The veterinarian looked directly at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 He\u2019s badly injured. But we can operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those words changed everything in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Operate?! \u2014 one of the officers exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Yes, \u2014 the doctor replied calmly. \u2014 It will be a difficult surgery, but there\u2019s a real chance. If everything goes well, he could recover completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex slowly sat down in a chair. For several seconds he simply looked at Rex, who weakly moved his tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dog seemed to sense that something had changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 So\u2026 \u2014 Alex\u2019s voice trembled \u2014 we almost put him down\u2026 because of a bullet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The veterinarian nodded quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room fell silent again, but this time the silence felt different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the officers rubbed his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Unbelievable\u2026 that dog is still fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex leaned closer and gently held Rex\u2019s head in his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Can you hear me, buddy? \u2014 he whispered. \u2014 You\u2019re not going anywhere today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rex slowly opened his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And let out a soft whimper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Dr. Elena was already preparing the operating room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 We need to move quickly. The bullet is very close to the intestine. If it shifts, it could cause internal bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officers immediately stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 What can we do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Prepare the IV and help me move him, \u2014 Elena said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex didn\u2019t leave Rex\u2019s side for even a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When they lifted the dog onto the operating table, Rex raised his front paw again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With great effort, he placed it on his handler\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if he wanted to say just one thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex gently squeezed the paw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 I\u2019m here. I\u2019m not going anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The doors to the operating room closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next forty minutes felt endless. The officers sat silently in the hallway. The ticking clock on the wall sounded unbearably loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, the door opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Elena stepped out first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her surgical gown was stained, but there was a tired smile on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex immediately jumped to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The veterinarian lifted a small sterile container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside lay a twisted piece of metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Here\u2019s the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a bullet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 The surgery was successful, \u2014 she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex closed his eyes for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Rex\u2026 is he alive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Elena nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n