Part 1: The Morning My Dog Wouldn’t Stop Scratching at the Door

January 2, 2026 by ucef

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There were Lily’s things. A purple scarf. A blue hoodie. A white cardigan she hadn’t worn in years. And nestled gently among them was a calico cat, her body curled protectively around three tiny kittens.

They were no bigger than my hands.

The cat lifted her head slowly, watching me without fear.

Baxter placed the yellow sweater beside them. The kittens immediately wriggled closer, seeking warmth.

And in that moment, I understood.

This sweater hadn’t come from where I feared.

It had come from here.

I sank to my knees, my hand pressed against my chest as the truth settled over me.

This wasn’t random.

This was something Lily had started.

And Baxter had just brought me back to it.