Feel the cold indifference of a place that doesnt welcome you, the relentless need to move on, to find a new hideaway and food, while your paws can no longer support a frail, sick body
He understood it perfectly: nobody was waiting here. He had to crawl onward, search for shelter, locate nourishment but his paws could no longer bear the exhausted, ill frame
Valja Vasziljkova had always been a responsible person.
In kindergarten she watched children put toys back in their proper places. At school she was entrusted with the duty roster. At university she led her study group. At work she voluntarily collected money for company events and colleagues gifts. Responsibility seemed woven into her very nature.
So when the residents unanimously elected her as the stairwell manager, Valja was not surprised. Despite her youth she tackled the role with enthusiasm.
Valjecska, the Krilovs on the fourth keep shouting until late at night, we cant rest, complained Anna Petrovna, the elderly neighbor.
Valja restored order, speaking so persuasively to the troublemakers that even the loudest tenants admitted their fault and promised to change.
Valjuska, someone just throws garbage into the bin without taking it to the container! the residents sighed.
Valja stood firm, stared the disorderly at them and shamed them mercilessly. Their stairwell sparkled with cleanliness, the flowerbed by the entrance burst with colorful blossoms. Valja took pride in the tidiness. Sometimes she even stopped in front of the building just to admire her work. Everything was as it should be. She managed it well. She was a clever girl.
All that changed when a dog appeared one day in front of their building
A dirty, tangledhaired, limping redmixed mutt dragged itself to the house and curled under the balcony, trying to survive the night.
The children were the first to notice. They approached, but the mothers, sensing danger, shouted:
Back off at once! It could be dangerous!
They grabbed the kids and tried to drive the helpless animal away:
Get out of here! Hurry! Go away!
The dog tried to stand up. It failed. It attempted to crawl, but even that was too much. It began to whimper, its eyes low, tears streaming down its face.
The mothers were at a loss. The situation seemed to demand a firm response, yet calling animal control or the police felt excessive. Then Valja stepped onto the yard their only hope:
There’s a dog! they shouted together. Valjecska, handle it! Its dangerous!
Valja moved closer, peered under the balcony. Their gazes met hers stern, the dogs confused.
The dog sighed, made another futile effort to pull itself away. It understood there was no place for it here, but it lacked the strength to walk or crawl. A plaintive whine escaped its mouth.
Valjas heart clenched.
It looks like its leg is injured, she announced loudly. It needs to be taken to a vet.
The mothers exchanged looks, each thinking, We dont want this on us! and hurried the children back inside:
Oh dear, we have to go! The kids need sleep too! Come on, Valjecska, sort it out!
And they left the girl alone with the abandoned animal.
Valja sighed, dug into her bag, and wondered if she had enough money for a vet visit. She couldnt carry the dog by hand it was dirty and heavy.
Looking for help, she noticed an old Zsiguli (the same model the Krilov family used) rolling to the stairwell entrance.
Out of the vehicle sprang Ljonya Krilov.
Well, look who we have here! What offense has the houses inspector committed? he winked cheerfully.
Please, help, Valja replied seriously, nodding toward the balcony.
Ljonya crouched, saw the dog.
Is it yours?
No, of course not! Valja snapped. We just need to help. The vet is nearby, but we have no way to transport it.
Ljonya measured the dog, then his car, and sighed heavily:
I know my Ljuszá, hell berate me if he finds out! But a good deed is worth it.
He pulled an old rag from the trunk and spread it on the seats.
All right, lets rescue it! If anything goes wrong, you cover me!
Deal! Valja promised, then gently addressed the dog: Come on, little one, well take you to the doctor. Hold on.
The dog allowed itself to be lifted without protest. Valja stroked it all the way, whispering soothing words.
At the animal clinic a young veterinarian greeted them, messy hair and a serious expression. He examined the patient, placed a splint on the injured leg, and prescribed medication.
The fracture needs rest, the vet explained.
and its pregnant? Valja asked, feeling foolish.
Seems so, just recently, the vet nodded.
What now? Valja asked, almost helpless.
I cant take it home, Krilov shook his head. Ljuszka will take it out of the building.
I cant take it either, Valja added quietly.
A solution had to be found quickly.
Lets gather all the residents! Together well figure something out, Ljonya urged decisively.
I hope so, the vet supported. In a week they must bring it back for a check. Ive already written them down. Whats your name?
Valja, she replied.
And the dogs name?
Valja and Ljonya glanced at each other, unsurethere was no tag or collar.
Agáta! was the first name that came to Valjas mind.
The dog perked up its ear, turned its head toward Valja.
Do you like the name? Lets call you Agáta, okay? Valja asked gently.
The dog sneezed in response.
Agreed, the veterinarian noted with a smile. You can keep Agáta. Im sure shell be good company!
When the trio returned to the stairwell, the sternlooking Ljuszja Krilova stood on the steps, hands on his hips.
Where the heck have you been? he blurted, but when he saw Ljonya carefully cradling the dog, his mouth fell open in surprise.
Its a dog it wandered in, and its pregnant we took it to the vet, Ljonya explained quickly. We thought wed make a little shelter under the balcony Its sad.
Under the balcony in this cold?! Ljuszja fumed. It needs warmth and a home!
Thats why we want to discuss it with the neighbors, Ljonya continued. Maybe we can find a joint solution!
Surprisingly, Ljuszja didnt argue. A maternal instinct seemed to take over. Together with Valja, he went doortodoor, calling an emergency meeting of the residents.
No one wanted to adopt the dog, but a proposal emerged: pool money to build a small dog house beneath the balcony and create a fund for food.
Thus Agáta got her own home.
A tiny, friendly dog house was placed under the big building, like a miniature replica. Inside they laid soft rags, made a comfortable bed. Agáta crawled in cautiously, careful not to strain her sore leg.
We should draft a statement to the district officer, Valja suggested. Make it official.
The residents quickly signed the document, and Valja personally delivered it to the police. Fortunately, they received it with understanding and officially authorized the dog to stay on the property.
When Valja returned to her tidy little apartment, a sense of duty filled her, but sleep eluded her.
After several attempts, she dressed and went out to check on Agáta.
How are you doing? she asked, sitting on a bench.
The dog whined softly. She was warm now, the pain had eased, and most importantly, a human was by her side, slowly earning her trust.
Ill come back, Valja promised. Maybe well think of something even better
She didnt yet know what fate would bring.
Valja would keep taking Agáta to the vet until she fully recovered. The young vet, Valera, would watch over not only the red dog but also the diligent, sincere Valja.
He would propose marriage to her, and together with Agáta they would move into Valeras country house, where both people and animals could live together.
Meanwhile, Ljuszja Krilova discovered she was expecting a child; her temperament changed noticeably. Their apartment would no longer be the loudest in the building, and when little Vanjecska was born, even the strict Anna Petrovna would just smile instead of complain.
The fourth stairwells residents would experience positive changes, though none would recall that it all began the day a red dog appeared under the balcony.
And Valja, who had laughed, moved homes, yet kept her restless generosity, one day playing with Agáta and her puppy, smiled and thought:
Im so happy Thank you, Universe! It all started with our Agáta, the dog of the fourth stairwell.
