Gentle Doesn’t Mean Silent: A Big Dog Teaches a Boy Boundaries

the line again.

Then Leo did something new.

He planted his feet.

He raised his chin.

His voice came out shaky—but it came out.

“Stop,” he said.

Mason blinked, surprised, like he hadn’t expected Leo to make noise.

“Back up,” Leo added, louder. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

Mason laughed, but it sounded forced.

“Oooh, tough guy,” he mocked. “What are you gonna continue reading …