"That's all back home," she says, "and since we're not going back, none of it really matters. What matters is here and now, and him being the healthiest and happiest little puppy he can be."

'Puppy' being her gender-neutral nickname for him, and not specifically a reference to his current shape. It's a long and complicated situation.

She readies herself for the hypospray.

"I worry about him, you know? I've never been a parent before, and it's a lot of responsibility, being completely in charge of somebody. And now, helping him adjust to being in a totally new situation."