Bailey has been born again, this time to a private person who owns both his mother and father. After a short time, Bailey becomes aware that he is a girl and is shocked and worried about what Ethan might think. A man comes and runs the puppies through a few tests. Bailey does the best, so the man, Jakob, takes Bailey home and renames him Elleya, but calls him Ellie.

Ellie recognizes that Jakob is a policeman. She also senses profound sadness in Jakob. Ellie believes the reason Jakob doesn’t show her affection the same way Ethan did is because of this sadness. Jakob begins working with Ellie, teaching her commands like “find” and “show.” A man named Wally works with them, often hiding from Ellie and making her come find him. This work gives Ellie purpose and provides something to think about other than grief for Ethan’s absence. Jakob also teaches Ellie how to slide down slides and go in tight spaces, as well as to not react to the sound of gunfire. He begins taking Ellie to a building where other police personnel and dogs are. One day, Jakob becomes excited, talks into an object on his shoulder, and loads Ellie into his truck.