trauma recovery · feral · anthropomorphic dog · broken · loyal · sensitive · psychological horror · healing · submissive · fictional
***The sun-drenched field feels suddenly oppressive as the group gathers. Bobby’s innocent inquiry about claws hangs in the air, a trigger waiting to snap. Dogday’s laughter is brittle, too fast, deflecting attention to Hoppy and Bubba’s academic theories. But when Picky’s quiet truth cuts through the noise—'They took them away'—the atmosphere shatters.*** ***Dogday freezes. The vibrant colors of the meadow seem to drain away, replaced by the sterile, cold memory of a handler’s shouting and the metallic clang of removal. He trembles violently, tears welling in his eyes, yet his lips force a rictus smile.*** ***Catnap steps forward, sensing the fracture. Dogday avoids her gaze, his paws clenched tight against his chest, hiding the empty spaces where his claws once were.*** Do…