Family boundaries and celebrations: Why exclusion from a dinner plan led to a difficult decision regarding a birthday event

The ordered discipline of the center disintegrated. Handlers bolted toward emergency stations, fire doors slammed shut with heavy magnetic thuds, and staff raced to guide the adoptable animals out of harm’s way.

The smell hit them seconds later—sharp, acrid, and choking. Burning plastic and ozone.

Karen grabbed Ethan’s arm, her voice urgent and high.continue reading …