Leave and Dont Come Back
Go ondo you hear me? Thomas whispers through his tears. Go, and dont ever come back. Never.
With trembling hands, the boy unclips the heavy metal chain and pulls Daisy towards the garden gate. Throwing it open wide, he tries to shove her onto the lane.
She stands, bewildered, not understanding what is happening.
Why are they sending her away? What did she do wrong?
Please, please go, Thomas repeats, hugging the dog tightly. You cant stay here. Hell be back any minute and
Just then, the back door bangs open, and out staggers drunken Frank, clutching an axe.
*****
If people truly understood how harsh life can be for dogs forced out onto the street, perhaps theyd treat them differently. At the very least, they might look upon them with sympathy and pity, instead of contempt, which is all too common.
But how can anyone know the ordeals that befall our four-legged friends, the hardships they endure? How could they?
Dogs cant tell us their stories. They cant complain about their fate. They carry all their pain inside.
So let me share one story: a tale of love, betrayal, and loyalty.
It begins with Daisy, who was unwanted from her earliest days.
No one knows for sure why her first owner disliked her so. Did he just not want her? Was it just because she existed?
Unable to think of anything better, he took the two-month-old puppy to the edge of the nearest village and left her on the side of the road.
No, he didnt even bother to take her into the village itself, where someone might have given her a home.
Instead, he simply abandoned her by the roadside and drove off back to the city, content with himself.
Lorries, cars, buses, even the odd tractor thunder along that road. The tiniest misstep and shed be gone.
Perhaps thats what he was counting on.
Even if she survived the traffic, with no food or water she wouldnt have lasted long. She was tiny.
But on that particular day, Daisy was lucky.
That day, an unnamed puppy met a boy named Thomasand survived because of it.
It happened on the very day Thomas received his first bicycle as a birthday gift from his father. Fourteen years old and excited, he sped off to take it for a spin.
Dont go past the village! Do you hear me, love? called his mother, Margaret, as her son rode off, his heart thumping with excitement.
Alright, Mum Ill be quick! Thomas called back, grinning. Itll be fine!
But of course, Thomas did ride out beyond the edge of the village. The local roads were crumbling, full of potholeshard to walk on, let alone pedal. After rain, it was a minefield.
But from the village all the way to the main road into the city, a new road had been laid only last month. Thomas wanted to try it out, to feel the wind in his hair.
There werent many cars, especially on weekends. Everyone was at home, taking it easy.
Just when Thomas was about to turn back, he spotted a tiny puppy on the verge, running back and forth in a panic, darting towards passing cars and jumping away at the last second. It was agonising to watch.
Whats wrong with it? Whats it doing there? Thomas wondered, hopping off his bike.
He placed his bike carefully on the grass, then hurried over to the puppy.
*****
Mum! Dad! Look what I found! Thomas exclaims as he bursts into the kitchen. Someone left it out by the road. Please, can we keep it? Its so sweet.
Tom, did you go out past the village? Margaret scolds. Didnt I tell you not to?
Mum, honestlyI just rode as far as the main road and back, he replies, eyes cast down. And look how lucky I was. If I hadnt picked up this puppy, it might have died out there.
And you? Margaret sighs. Did you think about yourself? You could have been run over. Roads arent safe for children on their own. Especially not on bikes.
I wont do it again, I promise. But what about the puppy? Can we keep her? Ill look after her myself. Ive always wanted a dog. Andwellits my birthday today
Birthday, is it? Not sure you deserve it after that stunt, Margaret replies, shaking her head.
Thomas hugs the puppy closer, afraid his parents might take her from him.
Oh, stop chastising the lad like hes in primary school, his dad Peter chips in, cheerful after a pint at the local. Hes fourteen, after all. You remember the mischief we got up to at that age. And hes found a lovely pupnot some scrappy mongrel, either. Shell make a fine guard dog. Keep her, son, Ive no objections.
If your dad says yes, so do I, Margaret smiles, watching Thomass face light up.
Brilliant! Thank you! Youre the best parents in the world.
Thomass heart soarshis dream of having a dog has finally come true.
That very day, he gives her a name (hers, not his)Daisy.
Hed guessed she was a boy at first, but closer inspection proved otherwise. Shes a gentle soul, kind and affectionate. The bond between Thomas and Daisy is instant.
He soon forgets about his new bicycle; now he spends every possible moment with his fluffy companion.
What could possibly go wrong when everything seemed so perfect? The puppy is saved, Thomas finds the dog hes always longed for (secretly, for he thought his stern father would never allow it). Thomass happiness rubs off on his parents, too.
End of story? If only
Trouble found them six months later.
It began when Peter, Thomass dad, lost his job and started drinking heavily. Miserable, he drank through their savings, ignoring Margarets desperate pleas.
Any little thing set Peter off. He started taking out his frustration on everyone around himincluding, from time to time, his wife.
If Margaret said a word against him, thered be an argument. If she hid the whisky, his temper flared.
Margaret strictly forbade Thomas from getting involved, afraid his father might hurt him, too. Peter had a heavy hand. Best not to tempt fate.
In such moments, Thomas would retreat into the garden, find Daisy, and stroke her head in silence, his cheeks wet with tears. Daisy would lick his face in comfort, as if she understood, and together theyd gaze towards the house where his parents shouted.
One day, Thomas himself became the target. Margaret had popped to the shop, leaving Thomas and Daisy playing in the garden.
Peter called his son over, gripped his arm tightly, and smacked him around the headagain and again.
Thomas at first endured it, but then couldnt help but cry out and tried to get away. Peters grip was like a steel vice.
At that moment, Daisyusually so gentlesuddenly barked furiously at Peter. So ferociously, in fact, that Peter was taken aback, releasing Thomass arm. Seizing his chance, Thomas broke free.
But as Peter staggered towards the house, muttering threats, Thomas knew his father would returnand not alone. What could he do?
Go, Daisy, go! Thomas whispers through his tears. Dont ever come backplease.
He unclips Daisys collar, leads her to the gate, and pushes her onto the lane.
She stands, baffled.
Why is this happening? What did she do to deserve it?
Please, go, he repeats, hugging her. My fathers coming backand if youre here
Just then, the back door bangs open, and out stumbles Peter, drunk, with an axe in his hand.
Thomas! he bellows. Why did you let that dog go? Who told you to do that?
Dad, please Thomas pleads, instinctively backing away.
He is terrified, ready to run, but he cant leave his mother alone with this man.
Whats this? Protecting a dog over your own father? Peter growls, fixing Thomas with a glassy stare. Dont touch the dog? I fed her, watered her, and she turns on me? Ill sort it out, and then Ill sort you out. Wheres the respect, eh? Ill teach you
Peter lurches forward, nearly falls, but catches himself and begins to descend the steps.
Bring her here!
Frank, pleasedont Margaret cries as she appears with her shopping bags, panic in her voice. Shes just a little thing. Pleasedont hurt her.
Enough! That mutt needs to learn whos boss! Thomas, get her over here, now!
Theres no more time.
Thomas turns to Daisy, looks into her eyes, kisses her wet black nose, and gives her a firm push out onto the road.
Go! Now! Forgive us forgive me, Daisy. I never wanted this.
Infuriated, Peter realises Thomas is letting Daisy go. Daisy takes one last look back, then bolts towards the woods.
Its the only place she can hide.
Dont come back, Daisy, or hell kill you! Thomas shouts after her.
What happened to the family after Daisy fled, she never learned. She could only hope her beloved boy and his mother would be alright.
*****
From that moment, time passes
no, not a month, nor a year.
Its seven whole years since Daisy left. Seven long years spent waiting for a miracle, hoping to see Thomas again.
But as the years pass, her hope fades. Thomas and Margaret are long gone from the village.
She returns six months after her escape, full of hope. She noses the garden gate open, only to find the house burnt out, empty. No Thomas, no Margaret. Not even Peter, whom Daisy wouldnt miss.
She comes back three or four more times, but finds nothing. Still, she doesnt sense that anything too terrible happened. Maybe they simply moved away. She has no way of knowing.
But its cleartheyre not coming back. There is no home for them here. Nor for Daisy. She has no family now.
So for over a year, she wanders from one village to the next, never staying in one place for long. Eventually, an elderly chap takes her in, meeting her by chance on the same road where shed been left as a puppy.
Got yourself lost, have you? the white-haired, bearded man asks with a wry smile. Care to come live with me?
Daisy follows. She has no other choice.
The old manHenryturns out to be kindhearted, though partial to a nip of gin.
He feeds her well: stews, oatmeal, the occasional meaty bone. He doesnt begrudge her a penny.
He takes her to work with him. Hes a night watchman. At the cemetery.
At first, Daisy finds it spooky, wandering among headstones at night. But she gets used to itand used to Henry, too.
Hes a good man, just lonely and sad, like her. When he drinks, he doesnt become cruelonly quiet, sharing his woes: an estranged wife, a daughter who disowns him for being a failure.
Daisy would curl up at his feet, listening, understanding how much it meant for somebody just to talk.
And when Henry fell silent, Daisy would think back to happier days: to Margaret, to Thomas. She tried to forget Frank, for good.
One evening, while wandering the cemetery, Daisy stumbles upon a grave and catches a familiar scent: hatred, and alcohol. Frank.
She doesnt believe it at first, but its truehes been buried here.
Why have you stopped? Henry notices Daisys paws planted at a certain grave. Frank, is it That must be the one who burned in his own house.
Daisy looks at the old man in surprise.
Yes, thats the one. Wife and son left him, thank heavens, but he drank himself into an early grave. Sad way to go, though people said he was cruel to his family. Maybe its no more than he deserved. Still about the dead, best to say nothing or wish them peace. Come on, lets go.
Daisy spends nearly five years with Henry, the cemetery watchman. When he passes away, she is alone yet again.
Shes not a puppy anymoreno one will take her in now.
So Daisy decides to stay. It may be a place for humans, but only here does she feel she can wait for death in peace. She doesnt need another ownerHenry, after all, had been more of a companion.
*****
Then, one day, with the first snow, something happens that Daisy never expects.
Shes making her usual rounds when she hears voices. Rare for anyone to visit the cemetery on a weekend, but she hears both a man and a woman. They stand by Franks grave.
Daisys curiosity gets the better of her.
I told you, Emma, coming to my fathers grave was a bad idea. What am I meant to do here? After all he did, you say I should forgive him For what? For driving Mum to an early grave?
You must, Tom. Forgive him and let him go. How many more times are you going to be tormented by nightmares? Im sure once you forgive him, things will be better. No matter what he was, he was your father. If hes haunting your dreams, it means he cant rest.
How would you know?
My gran always said so. Forgive him, and everyone will feel reliefyou and your dad.
Maybe youre right
Tom looks at his fathers grave, scowls, then softens and says, I forgive you, Dad. For me, for Mum, and for Daisy Only, its your fault that I lost my best friend. I just hope shes alright.
Daisy stands silently behind Tom, her heart pounding. Its himher boy, now a grown man. So many years have passed, but she knows him at once.
Will Tom recognise her?
Sensing a presence, Tom spins round. He freezes.
Tom, what is it? Emma asks, nervous. You look like youve seen a ghost.
Not a ghostjust a dog he murmurs, staring.
So? You often get dogs in cemeteries. Are you scared?
No, I Ive seen her somewhere before Hold on, could that be
Tom walks slowly towards Daisy, watching her intently. He hesitates, but with each step grows more certain.
Daisy wags her tail, then takes a cautious step forward herself.
Within moments theyre racing towards each other. Before Emma can react, Tom crouches down, arms open, as Daisy leaps up to greet him, covering his face in kisseshis cheeks, nose, chin.
Daisys greatest dream has come true: after all those long years, shes found her person.
*****
Of course, Tom brings Daisy home. She quickly becomes friends with Emma too.
Soon they are three. Then four, when Daisy finds a stray kitten, and together they bring it home. A while later, they become five, when Tom and Emmas baby boy, Jack, is born.
Tom even rebuilds the old village cottage, and every year they visit as a family for holidays.
Whatever troubles they endured, however painful their journey, Tom and Daisy are at last happy.
And so is everyone in their little family.
