he who hesitates is toast

She reaches to unclip the leash from the pit bull's collar, giggling as he washes her face enthusiastically, then searches around in the backpack for a few treats. She finds them, and a tough hank of rope, the latter of which the pit gives a delighted bark at seeing.

"Oof, buddy, inside voice," she laughs, and holds up the toy. "What, you want to play?"

He definitely does. He bites his teeth into the rope, sets his four paws, and pulls with all his might, whipping his head back and forth to dislodge the rope from her grip as Sharon's chuckle turns into a squeak of surprise, followed by a full-body laugh. "He's so strong!"