[Oh, that- that is pretty sad. And relatable - since Nigel can't remember anything about his father, it's hard to know even if he was dead or alive. How about he just puts a few of those shivering pups on his lap.]

If it was them... Well... You're a good friend thinking so strongly about helping Jefri. It probably feels... bad...passing that up. But that's not something a friend would hold against you. I bet you're like his family too, aren't you?

[I mean kid plus dog usually equals a family dynamic in some way]