It was supposed to be a normal day when I saw the boy—around eight years old—standing nervously by the station with a faded t-shirt and worn-out shorts. He cautiously approached, and Koda, sensing no threat, greeted him. The boy reached out to pet Koda, then suddenly hugged him tightly, crying into the dog’s fur.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. He whispered, “He looks just like my dad’s dog… before he left.” My heart sank. The boy, Eli, explained his dad had promised they’d always have Max, but his dad stopped coming home.
After hearing about his father’s absence and his loneliness, I walked Eli back home. His mom, exhausted but relieved to see him, thanked me. A week later, I visited Eli and his mom, who opened up about the struggles they faced after Eli’s dad left. Over time, Eli grew stronger, and his visits to the station became more frequent. Koda had become a source of comfort.
Months later, Eli’s dad reached out after hearing about Eli’s bond with Koda. Slowly, they began to heal. The smallest acts of kindness, like listening and offering support, created ripples of change.
