Releasing Her
John moved within the length of her chain. She remained motionless. He sat down near her. The pups were nursing. Gently, he leaned over and petted them. Then he slowly placed his hand on the wolf’s injured leg. She flinched but made no threatening move. This can’t be happening, the man thought. He could see that the trap steel jaws had imprisoned only two toes.
They were swollen, but she wouldn’t lose the paw if he could free her. “Just a little longer, and we’ll have you out of there,” he said. He applied pressure, and the trap sprang open, and the wolf pulled her leg, whimpering.