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“Come on, Lucky!” he panted, his breath coming in sharp bursts. “I’m trying to help you!” Lucky didn’t seem to care.

The terrier finally paused in a small park surrounded by old oak trees. Elliot bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Lucky stood a few feet away, wagging his tail like it was all a game.

“Okay,” Elliot said, straightening up. “I get it. You’re fast. But we’re done now, right? Time to go home.”He crouched down, extending his hand slowly. “C’mon, boy. I won’t hurt you.”

Lucky took a hesitant step forward, then another. Elliot held his breath, his fingers inches away from the dog’s collar.