My girlfriend came home after a walk with our dog, and something felt off immediately. I noticed a strange shape tangled in his fur before she even stepped inside. In that moment, my mind jumped to worst-case scenarios without any proof.
What looked like a harmless object quickly turned into panic in my head. I imagined ticks, parasites, and infections, remembering horror stories and vet visits. Fear filled the apartment as I prepared for the worst possible explanation.
