After two weeks of being in foster care, Bert finally felt comfortable enough to accept a treat from his foster mom and extend trustingly in front of her. He began to melt under the touch of human hands, and the fear in his eyes gradually dissipated.
Emilie discovered that Bert loved to play, which quickly became the key to his heart. She threw a ball in his direction, and Bert mirrored the action by playfully kicking it back. He eagerly chased and pounced on a birdie (wand toy) with remarkable precision. With every new toy, his personality flourished.
A few days after discovering the joy of play, Bert began seeking affection. He would tilt his head thoughtfully as he approached Emilie for pets and then slump against her hand, melting like butter in the sun.
