In the dead of night, around four oclock, a dog began barking behind the row of houses. By five, the barking grew fiercer. People stirred from their sleep, grumbling as they prepared for work. By half past five, the residents were already stepping out, weary and annoyed by the noise.
The first to venture out were a man and woman, likely husband and wife. They decided to see what all the fuss was about. Walking toward the garages, they spotted the animala German Shepherd, barking relentlessly, its muzzle fixed toward the houses. Behind it, a man lay motionless on the ground. The couple hurried over, realising the dog was calling for help.
The closer they got, the more frantic its barks became. It was a stern breed, not one to approach lightly. The woman suggested ringing for an ambulance.
The paramedics arrived swiftly. As they stepped out, the woman warned them about the dog. Yet, when they neared the injured man, the barking ceased. The dog moved to its owners side and sat quietly, watching.
The medics knelt carefully, keeping an eye on the animal. The man, youngno older than thirty-fivehad a severe abdominal wound, bleeding heavily. They worked quickly to stabilise him while the dog observed, tense but still.
By then, a small crowd had gathered at a safe distance. No one dared step closer.
One of the paramedics fetched a stretcher. They lifted the man gently, but rules forbade taking the dog. The animal stared as they loaded him into the ambulance, then bolted after the vehicle as it pulled away, lagging behind before catching up, over and over.
At the hospital gates, the ambulance halted. The guard raised the barrier, but the dog stopped short.
“Thats the injured mans dog,” the driver explained.
“What am I supposed to do with it?” the guard grumbled before barking orders: “Stay! Sit!”
The German Shepherd hesitated but obeyed. It sat by the gate, watching the ambulance vanish inside. After an hour of waiting, it lay down near the wall, out of the way.
The guards kept watch at first, but seeing it posed no threat, they soon ignored it.
“What do we do with it?” one asked.
“Nothing. If it wants to stay, let it.”
“But what if the owners in for days?”
“Its clever. Itll leave soon enough.”
“Poor thing. Should we feed it?”
“If you do, youll only encourage it.”
The dog watched them, ears pricked.
Forty minutes later, one guard returned with news.
“The mans out of surgery. In intensive care, but stable. Brought some food for the dog.”
He set down a plate of sausage and a bowl of water near a tree. The dog stared but didnt move.
“Go on, eat. Have some water.” The guard fumbled for commands.
The dog stood but hesitated, eyeing the man, the food, and the gate before sitting again.
“Suit yourself.”
Slowly, it crept forward and drank.
A week later, the owner was recovering in a ward. He missed his companion but had no way of knowing its fate.
Theyd been together since he left the army due to injury. Theyd served side by side and returned to civilian life as one. He trusted the dogs cleverness to see it through.
Meanwhile, the German Shepherd had settled under a tree, still guarding the gate. One guard had taken to feeding it and hatched an idea.
After his shift, he visited the mans room.
“Afternoon. Are you Mr. Wilson, James?”
“I am. Whats happened?”
“Im a hospital guard. Your dogs still outside, waiting. Weve been feeding her, but she wont leave.”
James smiled, closing his eyes.
“Shes mine, yes. Bella. We served together. Shes sharp as a tack.”
“We noticed,” the guard chuckled, relieved. “Shall I tell her anything?”
James took a tissue, rubbing it over his hands and face.
“Take this bag to Bella. Shell understand.”
The guard handed it over. The dog sniffed the tissue long and hard before carrying it beneath the tree, lying down atop it.
In the days that followed, Bella waited. And when James finally walked out, their reunion was pure joy. Theyd been through much together, and shed proved that some bonds were worth waiting for.
And wait she did.
