My doubts solidified one day when Lily left her phone wedged in the sofa cushions. As the screen lit up, I impulsively picked it up. Unlocking it, I navigated to her shopping app's recent orders and froze. She had purchased several packs of an imported brand of dehydrated chicken breast dog treats—a ludicrously expensive brand I could never justify buying. There was also premium freeze-dried chicken liver. What truly sent a chill down my spine was an order labeled "compact handheld trainer," though no image accompanied it. I had never seen Charlie eat these pricey snacks, and the trainer tool conjured unsettling images. Why had she bought them? Why in secret? Where were they hidden? That evening, as she led Charlie into the study, I stared at the locked door, my heart heavy as stone.
Vanishing Treats
Driven by intense curiosity, I began searching every nook for those treats. While Lily showered, I scoured the kitchen cabinets, stretching on tiptoes to check the highest shelves; I rummaged through every drawer in the TV stand, pretending to hunt for a charging cable; I even overturned the junk box on the balcony. Oddly, not a single wrapper surfaced. The expensive snacks seemed to have vanished into thin air. Charlie seemed to intuit my quest, nudging my hand with his wet nose and whimpering softly each time I rifled through things. Gazing into his innocent brown eyes, my unease swelled: Where was Lily hiding the snacks? Why never share them with Charlie?
An Unexpected Discovery
One evening, as Charlie lay listless on the rug, I knelt to scratch his chin habitually. My fingers paused abruptly—something felt off. The skin beneath his jaw seemed... swollen? Gently parting his thick golden fur, I confirmed my suspicion. Near his neck, the skin was slightly reddened, with a distinct small lump edged by faint scabs. Charlie twisted his neck uncomfortably, emitting a soft whine. This was no ordinary scratch or playtime injury. I called Lily, who was tidying the kitchen: "Come see this. What happened to Charlie's neck?"
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