So, listen to thisJames took a trip to a little village to visit his Aunt Edith, his mums older sister. On her deathbed, Jamess mum had made him promise to look after Edith, who was getting on a bit and didnt have anyone else close.
Aunt Edith was tiny and ever so frail. James kept trying to convince her to move in with him and his wife in the city, telling her shed have her own room, could stroll in the garden, and there were plenty of other ladies her age nearby for company. But Edith wouldnt hear of it. Shed never leave her old house, not for anything.
So, every three months or so, James would have to take five days unpaid leave from work and head down to the countryside. Two days just went on travelling, but for the other three days hed help Edith around the house, get her shopping and do whatever bits and bobs she needed. Luckily, James was the department head at work and could swing these short getaways. Plus, his boss was an old mate of his, so there was never any trouble.
This spring though, he couldnt make it out in March because he was completely snowed under at work. He finally managed to visit at the end of April. Edith had gone downhill a fair bit after winter, and her neighbour, Mrs Margotlovely old deartold James that Aunt Edith had needed the ambulance twice.
Why on earth didnt you let me know? James asked. Every time I rang, you all said she was doing fine.
Mrs Margot said, She made me promise not to worry you. Said to wait till there was real newsWhen Im gone, you can tell him, she said.
Anyway, James did all the shopping Edith neededgot sugar and salt like shed asked, and picked up some other bits as well: rice, tea, tinned pies, and condensed milk. When he walked up to the cottage, he spotted a young shepherd pup by the steps, probably about five months old.
This dog was a right characterbig head, long snout.
Aunt Edith, whos this then?
Oh, he showed up about a month ago, she said. I opened the gate and there he was, shivering, absolutely skin and bone. I couldnt turn him away. Figured Id feel less lonely with him here.
James gave the pup a scratch, and he immediately rested his head on Jamess knee, looking up all trustful. James had always wanted a dog as a child, but his parents never allowed it. Now, with work and everything, it seemed impossible. His wife, Alice, once tried having a cat, but after three years it wandered off and never came back. They didnt have childrenAlice couldnt, and eventually theyd accepted it, living for themselves and travelling when they could.
So what do you call your little stray? he chuckled.
Baxter. That was my old cats name, Aunt Edith replied.
James grinned, Doesnt seem very dignified for a dog, calling him after a cat.
Nonsense. He answers to it, thats what matters.
While he was there, Baxter followed James everywhere. When it was finally time to head back to the city, James gently told Edith she mustnt keep quiet about her health. If she felt poorly or needed medicine, she should ring.
Oh, James, youre already run ragged looking after me. But its alright love, I havent got long left anyway.
Dont say that, Aunt Edith. Im happy to help. The longer youre around, the better.
James, one more thingif anything happens to me, promise you wont abandon Baxter, yeah? He might be just a dog, but hes got a soul.
I wont, honestly. Ill find him a good home.
No, please. Take him yourself, will you? I reckon it wasnt chance brought him here.
Right at that moment, the dog pressed into Jamess knee, looked up and stared right into his eyes.
Alright, Aunt Edith, I promise. If anything happens, Ill take Baxter home with me.
A month later, Aunt Edith passed away. James organised the funeral and the nine-day wake, as is tradition. Afterwards, he and Baxter visited her grave together.
When it was time to head back to London, James brought along a lead and a muzzle and took Baxter down to the train station. He bought tickets for the carriage where dogs are allowed. But when they walked into the compartment, the dog bristled at a rough-looking bloke by the window and started to growl.
The man glared at them. You lot are mad, bringing a wolf onto a train!
James rolled his eyes, Dont be daft, mate, hes just my dog Baxter.
Thats not a dog, thats a wolf! Im a gamekeeper, I know what Im talking about.
Baxter showed his teeth and gave a warning growl.
Get that beast away from me before I do something about it, the bloke threatened.
James replied, How about you mind your own business? Weve got as much right to be here as you.
Hmph, not risking it. Ill sit in the corridor till my stop, he huffed, grabbing his bag.
Once they were alone, James gave Baxter a curious look. Baxter, are you really a wolf? The dog just rested his head on Jamess lap and wagged his tail. Doesnt matter to me. Youre brilliant, James said.
Later, the train conductor poked her head in. Excuse me, is that a wolf or a dog?
Oh, dont listen to that foolhes a special breed of shepherd, a search dog, James reassured her.
Good then, she said. Have you got his papers?
James pretended to rummage in his pockets and said, with mock alarm, Oh no, I mustve left them by the ticket counter. You know, they wouldnt have sold me a ticket without seeing them, right? (The lady at the ticket desk was actually Mrs Margots daughter, so hed had no trouble at all.)
The next morning, they were back in London. First thing James did was take Baxter to the vet at the local surgery. The vet looked at the dog and asked cautiously, Do you work in the circus?
No, why? James replied.
Thats a wolf, not a dog.
James sighed. Not quite. My aunt died and asked me to take him in. Turns out hes a wolf-dog hybrid. One parents from a German Shepherd. Theyre meant to be loyal, calm, and gentle. Is that alright?
The vet smiled. Hell be fine. Lets get him registered and up to date with his jabs so theres no fuss later on.
Alice completely fell for Baxterbathed him, fed him, took him for long walks. About ten months passed. Then, during Christmas break, Alice decided to take Baxter out to the park nearby for a stroll to shake off being cooped up at home.
As they wandered the shadowy footpaths, Baxter pricked up his ears and darted into the darkness. Alice called after him, but he didnt come for a good five minutes. Just as she was about to phone James in a panic, Baxter reappeared, dragging something in his jaws.
Alice rushed upand it was a newborn baby, alive but swaddled and left out in the cold. Alice, being a doctor herself, took swift action and rang an ambulance and police.
Everyone arrived impressively fast. Alice couldnt go along at first with Baxter in tow, but as soon as shed returned him home, she and James hurried to the hospital. There, the staff told them it was a baby girl, about a month old, and healthy.
There was even a note: her name was Olivia, and her mother begged for her to be given to a good home. Alice asked to see her and fell in love instantly.
She glanced at James, who nodded understandinglyno words needed. Alice told the nurse that they wanted to adopt her themselves, being doctors and all, and asked that Olivia not be sent to any foster placement.
Two months later, Olivia officially came to live with them, thanks to Baxter the stray, whom Aunt Edith had always said wandered to her door for a reason. Looks like she was right.
