“He hurt me.”
The room fell silent, every eye fixed on the small girl and her brave confession. Judge Dawson leaned forward, her expression softening. “Isla, can you tell us more about what happened?”
Isla hesitated for a moment, her tiny fingers still entwined in Moose’s fur. “He was always angry. He yelled, and sometimes…he’d lock me in the dark.” Her voice wavered, but with Moose beside her, she continued. “He said no one would believe me. But Moose always barked when he came close.”
Murmurs rippled across the courtroom. Leonard shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his bravado slipping away. His lawyer scrambled to recover, but the judge silenced him with a look.
“Thank you for sharing that, Isla,” Judge Dawson said gently. “I know it’s hard, but you’re very brave.”
Isla nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as Moose leaned against her. The presence of her loyal companion seemed to lend her strength.
Jim, Isla’s foster father, spoke up. “Your Honor, since Isla came to live with us, she’s been through therapy. Moose has been instrumental in her healing process. He was trained specifically to detect signs of distress and fear, and his reactions have always been accurate.”
Judge Dawson nodded thoughtfully, her gaze shifting between Isla and Moose. “It’s evident that Moose provides more than just companionship. His presence has been pivotal in giving Isla a voice today.”
Leonard’s lawyer tried once more. “This is circumstantial at best, Your Honor. We can’t rely on the actions of a dog—”
“Enough,” the judge interrupted. “It seems to me that Moose’s response is more than coincidental. This court recognizes the bond between a service animal and their handler, especially in cases involving trauma.”
I felt a surge of hope. Isla’s story was resonating in the courtroom, and not even Leonard’s manipulations could overshadow the truth she was finally revealing.
Judge Dawson turned her attention back to Isla. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us, sweetheart?”
Isla hesitated, then spoke with newfound resolve. “I want to stay with Jim and Megan. They’re my family now. Moose is my best friend.”
Tears welled up in Megan’s eyes as she reached over to squeeze Isla’s hand. Jim, too, looked emotional, his eyes never leaving Isla and Moose.
The judge leaned back, considering Isla’s words. “Thank you, Isla. You’ve been incredibly brave today. Your voice has been heard.”
With those words, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. Isla leaned into Moose, who licked her cheek gently, offering comfort in his own way.
The gavel came down, and Judge Dawson spoke. “This court will take a short recess before delivering a decision. But let me assure you, Isla, your courage today has made a difference.”
As people began to file out of the courtroom, I watched Isla hug Moose tightly. For the first time in a long while, she looked at peace. It was clear that, with Moose’s help, she had found her voice—and it was powerful enough to change her world.