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That Morning, Michael’s Condition Worsened—He Struggled to Breathe. “Nick, I Don’t Want Anything—No More Medicines, Nothing. But Please, Let Me Say Goodbye to My Friend. I Beg You, Unhook All This…” Men from the Ward Gathered. “Nick, Surely There’s Something You Can Do? No One Should Go This Way.” Nick Knew What He Had to Do—Consequences Be Damned. With the Nurse’s Blessing, He Rushed Out to Fetch Michael’s Beloved Dog. The Tearful Goodbye Left the Room in Silence, the Dog Crying Beside His Owner. Afterwards, Nick Sat in the Hospital Courtyard, Ready to Quit His Job—But Anna, Eyes Red from Grief, Called Him the Best of Men. Three Years Later, Nick and Anna, Now a Family, Stroll Down to the River: Their Child in a Pram, Their Loyal Dog at Their Side—Love, Loss, and Loyalty Endure.

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In the morning, Michael George was worse. He was struggling to breathe.
Nick, I dont want anything. None of that medicine, nothing at all. Just, please, let me say goodbye to Buddy. Im begging you. Please, just unhook all this from me
He nodded over at his IV drips.
I cant leave like this. You understand, I just cant
A tear slid down his cheek. Nick knew if he unhooked everything, Michael might not even make it as far as the exit.
Soon, all the blokes from the ward had gathered round.
Nick, honestly, isnt there something you can do? Its not right
I know But this is a hospital. Everythings got to be sterile.
Oh, come off it Look at himhe cant even go in peace.
Nick understood. But what could he do? He stood up. Actually, he could do anything. Forget the rules. Forget his dads business. Let them sack him. He spun round and caught Annies eye, and he could see plain admiration shining in her face.
Nick rushed out into the corridor.
Buddy. I need your help, quietly now. Maybe no one will even notice. Come on, lets see your owner.
Hed barely cracked the door open when someone blocked his way. Emma Edwards was standing there.
What do you think youre doing?
Please, Miss Edwards. Just five minutes. Let them say a proper goodbye. I know the rules. Sack me after if you want.
She was silent for a moment. Who knows what went on in her head, but then she stepped aside.
Alright. They can sack me too, then.
Buddy, with me!
Nick took off running down the ward, Buddy right at his side. Annie held the door open ahead. The dog, all intuition, thundered into the room in two leaps One more leap, and Buddy was up on his hind legs at Michaels bedside, his front paws balanced on the edge of the bed. The whole ward went silent. Michael opened his eyes, tried to move his hand, but the tubes tangled him up. So with his other hand, he just yanked the drips out.
Buddy! Youre here
Buddy rested his big head on Michaels chest. Michael stroked him. Once. Twice. He smiled And the smile stayed, frozen on his lips. His hand slipped down.
Someone whispered, The dogs crying
Nick walked over. Sure enough, Buddy was weeping.
Thats it. Come on, mate. Lets go Lets go
***
Nick sat down on the little wall out back. Buddy headed off into the bushes and curled up there. One of the lads from the ward, the one whod offered up his sausages that time, sidled over with a pack of cigarettes. Nick eyed him, about to say he didnt smoke, but changed his mind and took one.
Annie sat down next to him, eyes red, her nose all puffy.
Annie its my last day.
Why?
First, I was here as punishment. Then I wanted to prove to Dad that I could handle it He was going to give me the business. But its not about the business. I cant do it. Ill head home, tell him straight: your sons a failure. Sorry, Annie
Nick left. He handed in his resignation, packed up his stuff. Annie watched from the window as he stopped his Mercedes at the entrance, got out, opened the passenger door, then disappeared behind the shrubs. He was saying something to Buddy. A few minutes later, he headed back to the car and waited. Buddy came over, looked Nick straight in the eyes for ages, then hopped into the car.
Annie cried all over again.
Youre not useless! Youre the best!
***
A few days later, Annie spotted a man walking with the head doctor, someone who looked just like Nick. She raced down the stairs and ran out.
Are you Nicks dad?
The head doctor looked at her, baffled.
Annie, whats this all about?
Wait, Dr. Nichols, you can sack me later. But is this him?
Nicks father looked just as amazed at the small, freckly girl glaring up at him.
Thats me.
Well, just you dont dare! Do you hear me? Dont you dare think Nick is useless! Hes the only person who was brave enough to let a dying man say goodbye to his best friend. Nicks got heart and soul!
Annie stormed back inside. Nicks dad chuckled.
Shes got some spirit, hasnt she?
Dr. Nichols replied,
What am I supposed to do with her? Lovely girl, but always insisting on the truth!
And thats a bad thing?
Its not always a good thing
***
Three years later.
A whole family came out of a beautiful house. Nick was pushing a pram, and Annie had a huge, well-groomed dog on a lead. They strolled down to the river, and Annie unclipped Buddy.
Dont go too far, Buddy!
The dog bounded off towards the water. A moment later, the baby in the pram started to squeal. Buddy came racing back with just as much urgency.
Annie laughed.
Nick, looks like we wont need a nanny after all! Whats the rush, Buddy? Sophie just dropped her dummy.
The baby nodded off again, Buddy checked the pram and, once he was sure all was well, set off in pursuit of a butterfly…

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That Morning, Michael’s Condition Worsened—He Struggled to Breathe. “Nick, I Don’t Want Anything—No More Medicines, Nothing. But Please, Let Me Say Goodbye to My Friend. I Beg You, Unhook All This…” Men from the Ward Gathered. “Nick, Surely There’s Something You Can Do? No One Should Go This Way.” Nick Knew What He Had to Do—Consequences Be Damned. With the Nurse’s Blessing, He Rushed Out to Fetch Michael’s Beloved Dog. The Tearful Goodbye Left the Room in Silence, the Dog Crying Beside His Owner. Afterwards, Nick Sat in the Hospital Courtyard, Ready to Quit His Job—But Anna, Eyes Red from Grief, Called Him the Best of Men. Three Years Later, Nick and Anna, Now a Family, Stroll Down to the River: Their Child in a Pram, Their Loyal Dog at Their Side—Love, Loss, and Loyalty Endure.