**Chapter 2: A Cause for Concern**

As Katie continued to examine me, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. A hernia? It sounded serious, and I couldn't help but wonder if it would affect my ability to be a PAW Patrol pup. I thought about all the times I had to rush into burning buildings, or rescue my friends from tricky situations. What if I wasn't strong enough to do those things anymore? Katie seemed to sense my worry, and she gave me a reassuring pat on the head. "Don't worry, Marshall. We'll take care of this. I'll just need to run some more tests to confirm the diagnosis, and then we can discuss the best course of action." I nodded, trying to be brave, but my mind was racing with questions. What kind of tests would I have to undergo? Would I have to stay in the hospital? Would Ryder and the rest of the team be okay with me taking some time off? As Katie led me to a separate room for the tests, I caught a glimpse of a large machine that looked like a giant dog-sized CT scanner. I had seen it before, but I had never had to use it myself. Katie noticed my gaze and smiled. "Don't worry, this is just a routine scan. It will help us get a better look at what's going on inside." I lay down on the table, and Katie helped me get into position. She explained everything she was doing, and I tried to relax, but my heart was still racing with anxiety. As the machine whirred to life, I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I could hear Katie's calm voice guiding me through the process, and I felt a sense of comfort knowing that she was there to take care of me. When the scan was finished, Katie gave me a treat and praised me for being such a good boy. I wagged my tail, trying to appear brave, but inside, I was still worried. As we waited for the results, Katie chatted with me about my favorite things - the PAW Patrol, Ryder, and of course, my love of fires and fire trucks. She made me laugh, and for a moment, I forgot about my worries. But then, the technician came in with a serious expression, and Katie's smile faltered. "Ah, here are the results," she said, studying the images on the computer screen. I held my breath, my ears perked up, as Katie and the technician discussed my diagnosis. I couldn't understand all the medical jargon, but I could sense that they were taking my condition seriously. Finally, Katie turned to me and said, "Marshall, it looks like you do have a small inguinal hernia, just like I suspected. But the good news is that it's not too serious, and we can fix it with a simple surgery." I let out a sigh of relief, but my mind was still racing with questions. What would happen next? Would I have to take time off from the PAW Patrol? And what would Ryder say when he found out? Katie seemed to sense my concerns, and she gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Marshall. We'll take care of you, and you'll be back to your old self in no time. And I'm sure Ryder will be supportive - he's a great leader, and he cares about all of his pups." I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Katie. She was right - I was in good paws with her, and I knew that she would do everything she could to help me get back to my normal self. But as I left Katie's office with Ryder, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me as a PAW Patrol pup.