Circumstances dont simply arisethey’re made by people. You created the circumstances in which you left a living creature out in the cold, and now you wish to change them only when it suits you.
Many years ago, Benjamin was walking home from work on a dull winter evening, the sort where everything seems smothered by the grey dreariness. He passed by a grocers and spotted a dogjust a mutt. Ginger, scruffy, with eyes that looked as lost as a child in a crowd.
What do you want here? Benjamin grunted, but he stopped anyway.
The dog lifted his head and stared. Didnt beg, didnt whine, just watched.
“Must be waiting for its owner,” Benjamin thought and carried on his way.
But the next day he saw the same sightand then again the day after. The dog seemed glued to the spot. Benjamin started to notice: Some passersby tossed scraps of bread, a sausage, here and there.
Why are you always sitting here? Benjamin asked one day, crouching beside him. Wheres your owner?
The dog shuffled over, cautious, and pressed his nose to Benjamin’s leg.
Benjamin froze. When had he last stroked a living creature? It had been three years since his divorcethe flat was empty, just work, television, and his fridge for company.
You poor thing, he whispered, not even sure where the name came from.
The next day, he brought her sausages.
After a week, Benjamin posted a notice online: Dog Found. Looking for Owners.
But no one called.
A month later, Benjamin returned home after a night shifthe worked as an engineer, sometimes staying out all hours. He noticed a group gathered by the shop.
Whats gone on? he asked his neighbour, Mrs. Wilkins.
“They ran over that poor dog. You know, the one that’s been here for the past month.”
His heart sank.
Where is she?
They took her to the vet down the High Street. But you know they charge a fortune Whos going to pay for her, a stray?
Benjamin said nothing. He turned and ran.
At the surgery, the vet shook his head.
Broken bones, internal bleeding Treatment will cost quite a bit, and she might not make it.
Do what you can, Benjamin said. Ill pay whatevers needed.
When she was discharged, he brought her home.
And for the first time in three years, life returned to his flat.
Everything changedutterly.
Benjamin woke up not to the blare of his alarm, but to Ginger gently nudging his hand with her nose, as if to say, “Time to get moving, old chap.” And hed get up, smiling.
His mornings used to begin with coffee and radio news, now they started with walks in the park.
Well then, girl, lets get some fresh air, hed say, and Gingers tail would wag with delight.
All her paperwork was soon sorted at the vetpassport, vaccinations, the lot. Officially, she was Benjamins dog. He even photographed all the forms, just in case.
His colleagues raised eyebrows.
Ben, you look ten years younger! Whats your secret?
And he felt itneeded, for the first time in years.
Ginger was clever. Astoundingly so. She understood him with half a word. If he worked late, shed wait at the door, her eyes saying, Ive been worried.
Evenings, theyd stroll through the park and talkyes, talk. Benjamin would tell her about work and life. Silly, perhaps, but she listened, always attentive, sometimes whimpering softly in response.
You know, Ginger,” hed muse, scratching her ears, “I thought being alone was easier. No one to bother you, no fuss. But truth is” His voice grew gentle. “Truth is, I was just afraid to love again.”
Soon, even the neighbours were used to them. Mrs. Wilkins always had a bone put aside.
Lovely dog, shed say. Clearly cherished.
Months passed.
Benjamin even considered starting a social page for Ginger. She was so photogenic: her ginger coat gleamed like gold in the sunlight.
Then something unexpected happened.
Just an ordinary walk in the park. Ginger sniffed the hedges while Benjamin sat on a bench, absorbed in his phone.
Maisie! Maisie!
Benjamin looked up. A woman in her mid-thirties was approaching, dressed in expensive sportsweara blonde, carefully made up.
Ginger tensed, ears flat.
Sorry, Benjamin said, I think youre mistaken. Shes my dog.
The woman stopped, hands on hips.
What do you mean, your dog? Im not blindI see thats my Maisie! I lost her half a year ago!
Excuse me?
Yes, really! She slipped her collar right outside our block, I searched everywhere! And you stole her!
The ground seemed to wobble beneath Benjamin.
Wait a moment. Lost? I found her beside the grocer’s. She sat there, homeless, for a month!
And why did she sit? Because she was lost! I adored her! My husband and I bought her speciallypurebred!
Purebred? Benjamin glanced at Ginger. Shes a mongrel.
Shes a crossbreed! Very expensive!
Benjamin rose. Ginger pressed herself to his legs.
Well, if shes yours, show me the papers.
What papers?
Vet passport, vaccination recordsanything.
The woman faltered.
Theyre all at home. But it doesnt matter! I recognise herMaisie, come to me!
Ginger didnt budge.
Maisie! Here! Now!
She pressed closer to Benjamin.
See? he said quietly. She doesnt know you.
Shes just upset I lost her! But shes mine! I demand her back!
I have the documents, Benjamin replied calmly. Certificate from the vet, proof of her treatment after the accident. Passport. Receipts for her food, toys
I dont care about your documents! This is theft!
Passersby began to watch.
You know what? Benjamin pulled out his phone. Lets have the law decide. Ill call the police.
Go ahead! the woman snapped. Ill prove shes mine! I have witnesses!
Who?
My neighbours saw her run off!
Benjamin dialed. Heart thumping. What if the woman was right? What if Ginger truly had run from her?
But how could that be, after a month waiting at the shop, never heading home?
Why now did she tremble at his side, as if seeking shelter?
Hello? Police? I need some help sorting a situation
The woman shot him a hateful look.
Youll see. Justice will be done. Give me my dog back!
But Ginger only huddled closer.
And Benjamin knew, in that momenthed fight for her. No matter what.
Because, in those months, Ginger had become more than just a dog.
She was family.
The constable arrived half an hour later. Sergeant Fielding was a steady, unhurried sortBenjamin knew him from dealings with the property management.
Well, lets hear it, Fielding said, notebook at the ready.
The woman spoke first, fast, rambling:
Thats my dog! Maisie! We paid a thousand quid for her! She escaped six months back, I looked everywhere, but this man stole her!
Not stolenrescued, Benjamin replied coolly. She sat by the grocer, starving, for a month.
And why did she sit? She was lost!
Fielding looked at Ginger, still glued to Benjamins side.
Any documents?
Ive got them, Benjamin opened his folder. Luckily, he hadnt taken out the vet papers after his last visit.
Heres the vet certificate. Treated her after the accident. Passport, vaccinations, all done.
The constable leafed through.
And you? he asked the woman.
Theyre at home! But thats not the point! Im telling youshes my Maisie!
Tell me how you lost her? Fielding pressed.
Well, we were walking, she slipped the lead and legged it. I searched, put up notices.
Where were you walking?
In the park. Just down the road.
And where do you live?
High Street, number fifteen.
Benjamin shuddered.
Wait. Thats two miles from the grocer’s where I found her. If she ran from the park, how did she end up there?
Well, she must’ve got lost!
Dogs usually find their way home.
The woman blushed.
What do you know about dogs, anyway?!
I know, Benjamin said softly, that a beloved pet doesnt sit starving the same spot for a month. She searches for her owner.
May I ask, Fielding interjected, you hung notices, yes? But why not go to the police?
The police? Never thought of it.
In half a year? You lost a thousand-pound dog and didnt go to the police?
I thought Id find her myself!
Fielding frowned.
Madam, your ID, please.
She rummaged in her bag, hands shaking.
Heres my passport.
Fielding examined it.
Yes, you do live on High Street, number fifteen. Flat number?
Twenty-three.
All right. Now, when exactly did you lose your dog?
Six months back, give or take.
Exact date?
Twentieth or twenty-first of January.
Benjamin unlocked his phone.
I found her on the twenty-third of January. Yet shed been at that spot nearly a month by then.
So she vanished earlier.
Maybe I mixed up the date! the woman was visibly rattled.
Suddenly, she broke down.
All right! Fine, let her be yours! Still, I did love her!
Silence.
How did this happen? Benjamin asked quietly.
My husband saidwere moving, can’t take a dog in the rental. Tried to sell her, but shes just a mongrel. So I left her by the grocer’s, hoping someone kind would take her in.
Benjamins insides turned cold.
You abandoned her?
I left her! Didnt dump her, butgood people would take her.
And why do you want her back now?
She stifled a sob.
My husbands gone, Im all alone. I justmiss Maisie. I did love her!
Benjamin stared, not quite believing.
Love? he repeated slowly. You dont abandon those you love.
Fielding closed his notebook.
All clear. Officially, the dog belongs to he checked Benjamins passport, Mr. Watts. Hes provided, treated, registered her. Legally, theres no question.
The woman sniffled.
But Ive changed my mind! I want her back!
Too late, Fielding said coldly. You made your bed.
Benjamin knelt beside Ginger, hugged her.
Its all right now, girl.
May I at least stroke her? the woman pleaded. Just once?
Benjamin glanced at Ginger. She flattened her ears, buried her nose in his hand.
You see? Shes frightened of you.
I didnt mean it. Circumstances
You know, Benjamin said, standing, circumstances dont just happen. People create them. You chose to abandon a living soul, and now you want to alter things because it suits you.
The woman began to cry.
I know. But Im so lonely
And how do you think she felt, sitting for a month waiting for you?
Silence.
Maisie, the woman whispered one last time.
The dog didnt stir.
Then the woman turned and walked away. Quickly, without looking back.
Fielding clapped Benjamin on the shoulder.
Right decision. Shes clearly bonded to you.
Thank you. For understanding.
Dont mention it. Ive got dogs myself. I know how it is.
When the policeman left, Benjamin was alone with Ginger.
So then, he said, gently rubbing her head. No one will ever take you away again. I promise.
Ginger looked up with eyes that held not just gratitude, but a deep, endless love.
Love.
Shall we go home?
She barked with joy and loped along beside him.
As they walked, Benjamin thoughtthe woman was right about one thing. Circumstances can indeed change. You might lose work, your home, money.
But there are things you must never loseresponsibility, love, compassion.
Back home, Ginger settled on her favourite rug. Benjamin made tea and sat next to her.
You know, girl, he said, lost in thought, perhaps it all turned out for the best. Now we both knowwe truly need each other.
Ginger sighed in contentment.
