At seven in the morning, I was jolted awake by the frantic barking of my dog, who was doing everything possible to rouse meand then I saw something terrifying.
This morning, something happened to me that Ill never forget.
It was just before seven. Outside, the quiet hush of dawn still lingered, and I was relishing a rare day off. After yesterday, I was utterly drainedtoo exhausted even for the usual morning walk with my dog. Id been sleeping like the dead, lost in a dream where everything was peaceful and ordinary.
Then, I felt something heavy pressing on my chest. Half-asleep, I cracked my eyes openthere was my dog, standing right in front of me. Hed braced his paws against me and was staring intently into my face.
What do you want? I mumbled, closing my eyes again, assuming he was just hungry or needed to go out.
But he didnt leave. Instead, he pawed at me more insistently, licking my cheek and whining softly, as if urging me to wake up. Still, I didnt understand why he was being so persistent. When I ignored him, he suddenly barked right in my ear, then leapt onto the bed and began barking loudersharp, urgent, with an edge of panic.
Thats when I opened my eyes again and noticed something strange. Then, it finally clicked why my dog had been acting so oddly.
I blinked awake and a sharp, acrid smell hit me. At first, I couldnt place it. But a second later, my brain snapped to attention: smoke. And it was getting stronger.
I bolted upright, my heart hammering so hard I could feel it in my temples. I scrambled out of bed, barefoot, and dashed into the hallwayonly to freeze.
Thick grey smoke was creeping down the corridor, already seeping into my room. And in the living room, flames were devouring half the space, crackling and spitting sparks.
My dog stood beside me, barking at the fire, then looked back at me as if to say, *Hurry!*
I grabbed my phone, fingers trembling as I dialled 999. Without wasting a second, I rushed out of the flat with him.
Only once we were safely outside, gasping for breath, did it sink in: if not for him, Id have kept sleeping and might never have woken up.
Later, I learned Id left the iron on the night beforetoo tired to remember turning it off after ironing clothes. Thats what started the fire.
I hadnt even realised. But my dog had smelled the smoke before I did, and hed done everything to wake me.
If not for him I might not be here to tell this story.
Sometimes, the smallest acts of vigilanceespecially from those who love uscan make all the difference.
