“Local Dog Saves Kittens from Storm Drain” read the banner in the Meadowbrook Herald. A photo of Benny sitting protectively next to the box of kittens was splashed across the front page.

Annie couldn’t stop thinking about him.

She adopted one of the kittens herself, naming her Misty. The others were given loving homes by neighbors who had been at the scene that day.

But one question remained: what about Benny?

A week later, Annie made her decision.

She walked to the alley where Benny usually slept, knelt down, and held out a leash and a new collar.

“Hey, hero. Want to come home?”