— Mum, what on earth have you done? — Her daughter was nearly shouting down the phone. — What kind of nonsense is this about getting a dog from a shelter? And an old, sick one at that. Honestly, have you lost your mind? Why couldn’t you have taken up dancing instead?
Nora Smith stood by the window, watching as a white mist slowly descended on the town. Snowflakes twirled in the air, settling on rooftops, resting on tree branches, and breaking gently under the footsteps of late-night wanderers. Lately, standing at the window had become a bit of a habit.
She used to wait for her husband to return from work, exhausted and hoarse-voiced. The kitchen light would glow softly, dinner would be on the table, and they’d share long conversations over a cup of tea.
Gradually, conversations dried up, her husband started coming home even later. He avoided eye contact, answering Nora’s questions with nothing more than brief phrases. And then one day…
— Nora, I’ve got something to tell you… I’ve met another woman. We love each other, and I’m filing for divorce.
— What? Divorce… what about me, Alex? What happens to me? — Nora suddenly felt a sharp pain under her shoulder blade.
— Nora, we’re grown-ups. The children are grown and live their own lives. We’ve spent almost thirty years together. But we’re still young. Look, we’re just over fifty. I just want something new and fresh!
— So I’m old and faded, a relic of the past, am I? she whispered, bewildered.
— Don’t exaggerate. You’re not old… But over there… I feel like I’m thirty again. Forgive me, I just want to be happy, Alex said, pecking her on the head before heading to the bathroom.
He scrubbed off the old marriage, humming cheerful tunes, while the weight of the universe settled on Nora’s shoulders…
Betrayal. Is there anything more bitter?
Nora didn’t notice how time flew by — the divorce, Alex moving in with his new partner. Life settled into a dreary routine.
She’d been used to living for her children, for her husband. Their problems were her problems, their illnesses, her illnesses, their joy and success, hers too. And now?
Nora stood by the window for hours. Occasionally, she looked into a small hand mirror passed down from her grandmother. In it, she saw a sad eye, a tear lost in newly formed wrinkles, a grey hair at her temple.
Nora feared the big mirror.
— Mum, you need to find yourself something to do, her daughter’s hurried voice suggested she was heading somewhere.
— What, love? — her mother’s dull voice got lost over the wires.
— I don’t know. Reading, dancing for the over-fifties, exhibitions.
— Oh yes, for the over-fifties… I’m already beyond that… Nora couldn’t pull herself together.
— Oh mum, sorry, I’m in a rush.
Surprisingly, her son Alex was more understanding of his mother’s sorrow:
— Mum, I’m really sorry things turned out this way. You know, Irina and I are thinking of visiting you for New Year’s. You could get to know each other. We’d have such fun together.
Nora loved her children deeply, marvelling at just how different they were…
One evening, as she was browsing social media, Nora stumbled upon an announcement:
“Open Day at the Dog Shelter. Come along, bring your family and friends. Our furry residents are excited to meet new guests! Our address is…”
Further, it mentioned a list of items the shelter needed if anyone wished to help.
Nora read it through once, then again.
“Blankets, duvets, old bedding, towels. I need to clear all this clutter. I suppose I have something to give them,” she mused into the night.
Standing by the window, she rolled the list over in her mind, thinking of what else she might buy with her not-so-large salary.
Ten days later, she stood at the shelter gates, arms full of gifts. A taxi driver helped unload the endless heavy bags filled with blankets and cloths, a rolled-up old carpet, and a bundle of small rugs.
Shelter volunteers helped carry in bales of bedding, sacks of food, and bags of gifts for the dogs.
Later, visitors were divided into groups as the volunteers guided them around, sharing stories of each occupant in those lonely kennels…
Nora returned home exhausted, barely feeling her feet.
“A shower, dinner, sofa. I’ll think about it all later,” she told herself.
But “later” didn’t come. Images whirled in her mind—people, kennels, dogs.
And their eyes…
Eyes she had seen in her little mirror. Eyes filled with sadness and disbelief in happiness.
One dog had stood out in particular, an old, greying dog. She appeared deeply sorrowful. Lying quietly in the corner, unresponsive to anything around her.
“That’s Lady. A Japanese Chin. Her owner abandoned her in her elderly years. Lady is also old, twelve already. They say with good care, they live up to fifteen. But Lady is old, sick, and sad. Sadly, no one takes dogs like her home,” sighed the volunteer before moving on.
Nora had lingered by Lady. She didn’t react to her. She lay on her worn blanket, like an artificial little dog, like an old worn-out toy…
All week at work, Nora couldn’t stop thinking about that sad little dog. Suddenly, she found strength and became more active in her work.
“After all, Lady is a reflection of myself. I might not be quite as old, but I am lonely. The children have spread their wings, and my husband stepped over me like a rag on the pavement. But I am no rag! No, I’m not a rag!”
Nora stepped out of her office and called the shelter.
— Hello! I visited during your open day. You told me plenty about Lady, the old dog. Remember? — she asked hopefully.
— Yes, yes, of course, I remember. You were the only one who stopped by her kennel.
— Please, could I visit her again?
— Lady? That’s incredible! Of course, come on over! How about the upcoming weekend? — the volunteer arranged the visit time and hung up.
That evening, Nora once more stood by the window. But this time, she wasn’t sad about the past. She watched someone in the courtyard with a big dog.
The hound dashed enthusiastically around the empty night courtyard, chasing a ball back to its owner, who affectionately ruffled the dog’s head.
The weekend approached.
“Lady, hello!” — Nora knelt beside the dog, but she didn’t flinch.
Nora sat on the floor. She had on her old jeans, which she brought along to change into at the shelter.
Without moving closer, she began talking…
She shared about herself, her children. How she was alone in a three-bedroom flat, with no one to share it with now.
An hour passed. Nora inched closer to the blanket where Lady lay. Gently creeping her hand towards her, she touched her head and softly stroked her.
Lady sighed.
Growing bolder, Nora began petting her in slow, even strokes. Lady, after a bit of thought, began nudging her head toward Nora’s hand. There was a connection.
Leaving, Nora caught the dog’s attentive brown eyes on her. She looked as if trying to understand, was it just a chance meeting, or something more?
“Wait for me, I’ll be quick,” Nora whispered to the dog, closing her kennel and hurrying to the volunteer.
“Well, how did it go?” The young woman smiled at Nora.
“I… I want to take her home…” Nora said, breathless with excitement.
“Just like that?”
“Yes, she responded to me. You said dogs like her hardly get a chance. I’d like to give her that chance.”
“Nora, I have to caution you. Lady is a sick little dog. She’ll need care if you want her to live a bit longer. That means time, effort, and money.”
“Understood. I’ve raised two wonderful children. I think I’m up to it. Let’s give her this chance,” Nora affirmed confidently.
“Alright. I’ll prepare the paperwork. And we do like to keep an unobtrusive check on our pets. You know, people can be different…”
“Of course. Photographs, video calls, all vet visits—I’ll keep you updated.”
A few hours later, Nora entered her apartment, cradling the towel-wrapped dog. She gently set her on the floor.
“Well, Lady. This is your new home. Let’s figure out how we live together now.”
Nora took a few days off work and devoted herself to caring for the dog. Vets, check-ups, grooming, nail trimming, dental care…
Lady turned out to be a well-mannered little dog. Nora laid out pads for her, so Lady could relieve herself if needed.
For their walks, Nora tried to go early in the morning and late in the evening, keeping any interaction with neighbours to a minimum. She wanted Lady to adjust to her new surroundings without any fear.
— Mum, what have you done? Are you alright? — Her daughter nearly shouted down the phone.
— I’m perfectly fine. Thank you for caring.
— Mum, why on earth a shelter dog? And one that’s old and sick? Have you lost your mind? Couldn’t you have just taken up dancing?
— Love, your mum is a young woman. I’m only fifty-three. I’m healthy, beautiful, independent. It’s not like I taught you to think this way! — Nora retorted.
— But mum…
— Enough with the “but’s”… You have your life, your brother Alex is far away too. Your father replaced me with practically a schoolgirl. So kindly learn to respect and accept my decisions.
Nora switched off the phone, exhaled, and headed to the kitchen. She was craving coffee.
— Mum, you’re fantastic! I never would have guessed! A dog from a shelter—truly commendable. Think you’ve got the patience for it? — her son supported her, though his surprise was obvious.
— Alex, I managed to raise you both. Didn’t I? — Nora laughed. — I’ll manage. The shelter promised their help if needed.
Nora hadn’t told either her son or daughter about meeting a certain man during her night walks with Lady. A man named David, who was also divorced. His wife had left for a new life in a new country with a new husband. And he had ended up with a dog…
And guess where from? Yes, David had stumbled upon his dog, Brock, at the shelter, saved from being further stray…
— Mum, Irina and I are coming over, is that alright? I want to introduce you soon. She’s wonderful. Just like you, in fact!
Nora chuckled at her son’s words.
— Come over, my dear. We’ll be waiting.
On the thirty-first, when the doorbell rang, two dogs perked up immediately — David and Brock had joined Nora and Lady for a visit.
Seeing the lively group, her son was thrilled:
— Mum, I won’t wait till midnight! I’ve got to tell you straight away. This is my Irina. I love her, and you’ll soon be a grandmother.
And also — we want a dog from the shelter too. But perhaps a small one to start with. With the baby on the way after all…
That night, no window in the city was gloomy — congratulations, music, laughter filled the town and brought joy across the world.
And even in the shelters, those who’d yet to find families were wrapped up in a palpable sense of expectation — a hope for happiness.
So let us all be happy!
And to you, my dear friends, a big hello and holiday wishes from my charming little fellow, Phil. I hope he’s long since forgotten what the shelter was like.
For now, he basks in joy and abundance of our love!
Wishing you happiness!
