“What are you insinuating?” the surgeon snapped, still eyeing Max warily.

“Perhaps we should run a quick check, just to ensure everything is in order,” she proposed, trying to keep her tone diplomatic. “I’ve read cases where animals have sensed things we missed. It’s rare, but—”

The surgeon cut her off, his pride evidently bruised. “This is absurd! I’ve performed hundreds of these surgeries. I was chosen for this operation because of my success rate, not because I’m going to let a mutt dictate medical advice.”