Best paw forward
Jake’s steps became slightly smaller as he approached the top of the stairs. He tilted his head down the stairway toward Loïc Déjardin, an associate professor in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “He’s scared,” Déjardin said as he gently tugged on the strip of red fabric extending from Jake’s neck. “Come here, puppy.” One paw after another, the 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever began his descent.