He found it around the corner of a house, darting between piles of rubbish in search of food. There, he stumbled upon a tiny grey kitten, scrabbling across the pavement and wailing desperately. A big, filthy, scrawny dogreddish, or maybe grey, it was hard to tell beneath the thick layer of dustpaused, and the kitten
The kitten squeaked at the sight of him and crawled closer. The dog growled, but the little thing didnt flinch.
*What the devil*, the dog thought. *Just what I needed. Hey, hey! Your mumll be back any minute. Stay away from me.*
He tried nudging the stubborn creature aside with his paw, but the kitten wouldnt budge. Instead, it pressed itself against the dogs grimy leg, clinging with tiny claws, and fell silent.
*Fine*, the dog sighed. *Ill wait till his mother returns, then Ill be off.*
The kitten curled up and dozed, comforted. The big, colour-indeterminate dog lay down too, settling in to wait.
He waited a long time. Longer than he should have. The mother cat never came.
A day passed. Evening fell. Still no sign of her. Night crept in, and the dog understoodsomething terrible must have happened.
The kitten woke, nuzzling the dogs belly. Hungry.
*Another problem*, the dog thought. *What now? Cant just leave him here to starve.*
Fine.
Hed take the kitten to the bins behind the pub, where food scraps were tossed. There was a gap in the side of the big dumpsterhed sneak in and find something.
*Feed him, then leave him. Cant be lugging a kitten around.*
Gripping the little one by the scruff, he trotted off. Not far. He left the kitten in the bushes so it wouldnt wander while he rummaged.
The dog fidgeted, ears twitching at the kittens fretful cries. The grey scrap was calling for its mother.
*Blast it*, the dog muttered. *What mother?*
He found half-eaten yoghurt pots, licked the sweet, sticky mess onto the kittens face, and the little thing purred as it lapped it up.
*There. Sorted.*
The dog felt oddly pleased.
Then the kitten clambered onto his warm side, kneading his matted fur, and slept.
*Alright*, the dog decided. *Till morning. Feed him, then then Ill go.*
But the kitten woke in the night, whimpering. The dog licked it quiet, soothing. Only at dawn did it sleep.
When the dog opened his eyes, two small green ones stared back. The kitten booped his wet nose and mewed.
*Mama.*
And the dog knewhe wasnt going anywhere.
So it went.
He chewed food soft for his kitten. The kitten ate, then clung to him, hugging his tail, napping on him. And the dog felt warm.
Like hed found home.
They ate together, slept together. The rest of the time, the dog played with the kitten, teaching it to pounce and stalk.
*Might as well train him to survive.*
By summer, the kitten grew. The dog grew thinner. Autumn brought endless rain, and dry spots were scarce. Sometimes, the dog curled around his kitten, shielding it from the cold, shivering himself but licking the little one dry.
Then he fell illcoughing, sneezing, eyes streaming. The kitten watched, worried.
*Mama? Mama, whats wrong?*
*Nothing, love*, the dog rasped. *Dont fret. Cuddle close, Ill keep you warm.*
Through bleary eyes, he didnt see
Rain hammered down. The bins were empty. They had to move.
He carried the kitten by the scruff, trotting through flooded streets, the sky weeping overhead. His only thought:
*Keep his paws dry. Dont let him catch cold.*
He didnt see the car.
Thank God it was slow. The wipers couldnt keep up with the rain. The bump was light, but enough to send him sprawling onto the pavement.
The driver stopped, stepping out. A man, gentle-voiced.
*Let me see.*
The dog snarled, clutching something to his chest.
*Dont be afraid. Im a doctor.*
Rain lashed harder. The man winced but peered under the dogs pawsand gasped.
Two feline eyes blinked up.
*Ah. That explains it.*
He spread his coat on the wet ground, lifted them both, and drove off.
At his old friendsa vetthe clinic was empty.
*Rain*, the vet said. *Whatve you brought?*
The doctor laid the soaked dog on the table, still cradling the kitten.
*You hit him?*
*I did.*
The vet took the kitten, passing it to the doctor.
*Sit there. Dont interfere.*
The kitten squirmed, crying.
*Mama! Mama! Im here!*
*Hush*, the doctor murmured. *Hes in good hands.*
The kitten watched, wide-eyed, as the vet worked. Exhausted, it slept in the doctors arms.
Hours later, the vet said the dog could go homeneeded injections, check-ups.
*Tell you what*, the vet added. *Ill drop by tonight. Check on him. Well share a pint.*
Days passed.
The big red dog recovered, fed treats by the doctor. The kittenlong-legged nowwatched anxiously.
*Worried for his friend*, the doctor said.
The vet shook his head.
*Not his friend. His mum.*
*Dont be daft.*
The vet crouched, scratching the kittens ears.
*Dont worry. Mamall be fine.*
The kitten purred, bumping his hand.
*Want to keep them?* the doctor asked later, over drinks.
The vet smiled.
*Perfect.*
*To Mama and Little Son*, he toasted.
They drank, laughed, reminisced. The kittenLittle Sonclimbed onto Mamas bandaged leg and dozed.
The dog gazed at him, wondering
*How did I ever live without you?*
