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I hauled the old aluminum ladder into position, leaning it against the gnarled trunk of the apple tree, testing its stability with a firm shake. The moment my boot made contact with the very first rung, a chilling transformation came over Max. He froze, every muscle in his body stiffening, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a strange prickle down my spine. This wasn’t the playful gaze I knew; it was a desperate, urgent plea. I tried to laugh it off, reassuring him, “Relax, buddy. I’ll be down in a minute.” But as I ascended to the second rung, a sharp, unyielding tug at my trousers nearly sent me tumbling. Looking down, I saw Max, his jaws clamped firmly onto the fabric, holding on with a strength that belied his size. He braced his paws into the damp earth, refusing to let go, his wide, pleading eyes screaming a warning I was too blind with annoyance to understand. What was he trying to tell me, and why was he so determined to keep me from that tree?
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