People were astonished: the dog in the derelict house wasnt feeding puppies at all
Evelyn Bennett was heading back from Tesco, her arms aching under the weight of her shopping bags, her thoughts drifting idly. Her knees hurt again, her granddaughter had promised to call but hadnt, and it had been a strange winter rain and mud one day, bitter wind the next. Her mind was swirling with these grievances when she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Turning, she caught a flash of ginger dart under her legs a scruffy, rib-thin mongrel, fur clumped and patchy.
Watch it, you little rascal! Evelyn called out without thinking.
The dog didnt slow, bounding away as though it was expected somewhere. Clamped in its teeth was what looked like a chunk of bread.
Must have a litter stashed away somewhere, Evelyn muttered. Springs coming, after all mother natures calling.
She shifted her bags and trudged on, but a nagging feeling wouldnt let go. Something about that dog and that scene felt off.
The next day, the same thing happened. The same ginger shadow, the same bit of food clutched in her jaws, trotting down the path towards the end of the close, the derelict cottage where old Mrs. Whitfield had lived before she passed away last autumn. Now the house stood empty and bleak.
Evelyn! Theres your mate again! her neighbour Linda called down from her balcony. Same routine, every day. How does she even find food to bring back?
Food? Evelyn paused.
Yeah, cant you see? Shes got it in her mouth. Must be scavenging bins. Feeding pups its the mother in her.
Are you sure its for puppies?
Who else? Springs nearly here, you know how it goes.
Evelyn nodded, but something didnt sit right. Puppies made sense, but then again
Once more, the ginger dog slipped through the gap in the leaning garden fence and vanished at the back of the abandoned cottage. Evelyn hesitated.
Oh, whats the harm? she thought, scolding herself. Everyones gossiping, might as well check.
She squeezed through the same gap. The wooden fence groaned in protest, but bore her weight. Inside was overgrown chaos: nettles waist high, shards of glass, rusted junk.
From deep in the garden she heard a faint, pitiful whining.
She followed the sound, circled a half-collapsed shed, and froze.
The ginger dog was curled up beside an old kennel. In front of her lay a large black dog, her muzzle grey with age, shackled to a post by a short rusted chain.
She was blind.
Her eyes were cloudy and white, her body frail, her fur caked and matted. She lay on her side, struggling for breath.
The ginger dog carefully placed the bread before her, nudged it within reach, and waited.
The black dog sniffed the air, found the food, and devoured it desperately. The ginger dog didnt wag her tail, only sat and patiently watched.
When the last crumb was gone, the ginger gently licked the old dogs face and settled beside her.
Evelyn found herself rooted to the spot, blinking back stinging tears.
My God shes feeding her. Every single day. Starving herself, and yet she shares.
She had no idea how long she stood there. She only snapped out of it when the ginger dog lifted her head and met Evelyns gaze, as if to say, Well? Are you going to help or not?
Just waithold on, Evelyn whispered shakily.
She turned and half-ran home, moving faster than she had in twenty years, her bad knees protesting, her chest tight. But she didnt stop.
At home she grabbed all the leftovers she could find some boiled chicken, porridge, a few sausages, a bowl of water and hurried back.
The scene was unchanged: the ginger dog lay protectively next to the blind one.
Here you go, Evelyn said, crouching and catching her breath. This is for you.
She held the chicken towards the ginger dog, but she just watched her black companion.
Whats the matter with you, girl? You need to eat youre skin and bones.
Then Evelyn understood. She moved the food to the old dogs muzzle who, sensing it, started to eat hungrily.
The ginger dog swallowed but didn’t touch the food. She waited.
Only when the old girl had eaten her fill, did she gently take what was left.
Thats it Evelyn said softly.
Both dogs drank thirstily from the bowl. Evelyn watched, tears running down her cheeks, unable to look away.
What are you blubbing for? Lindas voice came from behind.
Linda was standing in the gap in the fence, eyes wide in astonishment.
Thats who shes feeding, Evelyn said quietly. Not puppies.
Linda said nothing at first, then sniffed loudly.
Who could leave her like this?
Mustve been Mrs. Whitfield. She kept her chained up. Died, and no one thought about the dog.
Six months, now
Half a year shes been here, all alone. This little ones the only one whos noticed. Comes and feeds her. Every single day.
Linda knelt down and stroked the ginger dog.
Clever girl what a clever girl.
By evening the whole building seemed to know. Someone brought food, another brought old blankets. Some blokes tried to break the chain, but it was far too thick.
We need an angle grinder, announced old Mr. Barker. Ill fetch mine tomorrow.
Next morning he turned up with his tools. A small crowd gathered again.
Careful, Barker! Dont scare her! Linda directed.
The grinder screeched as sparks flew. The old black dog flinched, tried to get up.
The chain snapped.
There you are, love, youre free, Mr. Barker sighed, wiping his brow.
Gently, Evelyn sank to her knees beside the liberated dog, stroking her greying head.
Will you come home with me? she whispered. Ill feed you. My house is warm. Ill take your ginger friend too. Both of you.
The black dog wagged her tail just the faintest movement, but somehow she understood.
Evelyn tried to lift her, but the poor thing was too heavy.
Let me, said Mr. Barker quietly, lifting the frail dog in his arms. Where to?
Number 21, third floor.
As they crossed the courtyard, people stepped aside respectfully. The ginger dog padded after them, ears back and tail tucked, not leaving her friend for a moment.
Dont be scared, Evelyn murmured to her, Ill take both of you in.
At the building entrance, the usual watch committee of elderly ladies were already settled on their bench.
Eve, whats all this? one frowned. Bringing dogs up to your flat?
Yes, Evelyn replied briskly.
But theyre filthy! Fleas! Theyll stink up the place!
Ill give them a wash.
And what will the neighbours say?
What will they say? Evelyn exploded, her voice trembling. This dogs been chained up for six bloody months, blind and starving, and not one of us did anything! Only that dear ginger girl cared. And the rest of us? We just walked on by!
Her voice cracked and she took a shuddering breath. The others fell awkwardly silent, eyes averted.
I didnt know, muttered one. After Whitfield died, no one mentioned the dog.
Thats the point no one did! Evelyn wiped away her tears. No one cared.
She turned and led the way inside. Mr. Barker followed, and the ginger dog brought up the rear.
At home, Evelyn spread an old blanket on the floor, and together they settled the old black dog gently down.
There you are, Mr. Barker smiled. Need anything else?
No, thanks. Ill manage.
As the door closed behind him, Evelyn slumped against it, exhausted. The ginger dog sat by her black companions side, watching Evelyn with a look that radiated gratitude. Evelyns heart squeezed.
Alright, she said with a sigh, lets have introductions. Im Evelyn. And you?
The ginger dog let out a soft yip.
Youll just be Ginger. And you she turned to the black dog, youll be Shadow. Thats settled then.
She fetched a bowl of meat and porridge and laid it before Shadow. The old girl sniffed hesitantly but seemed nervous.
Here Evelyn coaxed, holding out a bit in her hand.
Shadow gently took it from her fingers.
Good girl, Evelyn whispered. Eat up, love.
She fed her slowly, bit by bit, patient and tender. Ginger watched close by, then laid her head in Evelyns lap. Suddenly, Evelyn realised this was trust, and true gratitude.
Later, Linda phoned.
How are they?
Theyre alive, sighed Evelyn. Both asleep, finally.
And you? Not sleeping?
Cant. I keep thinking.
About what?
There was silence before Evelyn replied, About how, sometimes, we people are worse than animals. That dog she never forgot her friend. But we did. We all walked on by, every single day. And we didnt care to see.
Come on, Eve, dont be so hard on yourself.
I cant help it! Evelyn burst out. I cant! I feel so ashamed, dont you understand? Ashamed for all of us!
She hung up, slid to the floor beside the sleeping dogs, hugged her knees, and wept.
A week passed. Shadow grew a little stronger. At first she only lay down and ate when coaxed, then she started getting up shakily, swaying but determined. Ginger stayed always by her side, a perfect guide.
There you are, Shadow, Evelyn would say, youve got yourself a guide dog the best there is.
The story spread all over the estate Linda was an excellent messenger.
Have you heard about Evelyn? the old ladies whispered. Took in two dogs, right out the blue!
Really? I heard one was blind chained up for half a year!
And the other one fed her! Can you imagine?
I dont believe it!
I swear! Linda saw it herself!
When Evelyn took the dogs out, passers-by would stop. Some smiled, others just shook their heads.
Youre a wonder, Eve, said Mr. Barker one day. A real good soul.
Oh, Im nothing special, she waved him off. That ginger dogs the real hero. I just didnt look away, thats all.
One evening, someone knocked at her door. A young woman stood on the step.
Hello, are you Evelyn?
Thats me. And you are?
Im Emily. I heard about your dogs. About how you saved them. I wondered could I help? Im a vet. I could check over Shadow for you. No charge.
Evelyn was taken aback. No charge?
No, I just want to help. May I?
Please, come in.
Emily examined Shadow from nose to tail, then straightened.
Shes old, she said gently. Shes not going to get her sight back. But shell live, as long as shes taken care of. There are things I can give you vitamins, some cream for her joints and paws. Ill write it all down.
How much do I owe you?
Nothing, Emily smiled. Its a gift. For you, and for everyone who heard what you did.
Evelyns eyes prickled with tears again.
Thank you.
No, thank you, Emily replied, stroking Gingers head.
When the door closed, Evelyn sat quietly on the sofa. Shadow curled at her feet, Ginger beside her and for the first time in years, she felt truly needed.
And she felt, finally, at peace.
