Julia lay beside the entrance to our block of flats. All the neighbours were aware that the family from number twenty-two had gone away for a long while, and now a dog had made our courtyard her home, clearly intending to wait for their return.
This all happened during the early 1990s in a small English town. One crisp morning in June, a sudden squeal of brakes rang out in front of the local bookshop. The shop assistants ran out to investigate, but the street seemed deserted. Well, almost.
Near the kerb was a dog, whimpering and trying desperately to stand, but her back legs wouldnt obey her.
Mary, the bravest among the assistants, hurried toward the dog. She spoke softly, gently touching its head and back, trying to understand what had happened.
What is it, Mary? asked Jane and their manager, Mrs. Eleanor White, standing a little way off. They were worried about seeing something dreadful, even though there were no visible wounds. The limp, lifeless hind legs clearly signalled a serious injury.
Girls, lets move her into the storeroom, Mary suggested. Maybe shell recover. She cant be left out here.
Jane glanced at Mrs. White, who hesitated, then agreed, Alright, lets find something for her to lie on Can you manage?
Ill manage, replied Mary, figuring out the best way to lift her.
The dog was a scruffy mongrel, lean, dirty, and without a collarmost likely a stray.
She lay in the shops storeroom all day, and by evening, after recovering a bit from the shock, managed to drink some water and eat the food offered, though she never got up. She just couldnt move.
The following day, Mary convinced her father to come pick up the dog during his lunch break and take her to the vet.
The town only had one small veterinary surgery, lacking equipment, not even an X-ray machine, so the vet couldnt say much for certain.
She may recover with time Shes young, strong. With proper care, shell live, he explained seriously. But walking Thats doubtful.
They drove home in silence. Mary sat in the back, cradling the dog, while her father glanced back at them through the mirror, sighing. Over dinner, he said,
Mary, just dont get too attached. Dont bring her home either. Remember, were moving in the autumn.
I remember, Dad, Mary replied quietly.
The dog was named Julia. She stayed in the shops storeroom. For the first fortnight she barely moved, but eventually she began crawling into the courtyard, dragging her useless back legs behind.
What will we do with her? Shell perish outside, and no one will dare take her home the assistants mused. Good job Mrs. White lets her stay here.
Julia herself didnt seem particularly troubled by her condition. Gradually, she inspected every corner of the yard, sniffing, doing her business, and returning to her spot.
At weekends, the girls took turns caring for her at home. Only Mary refused; her fathers job was taking the family to Newcastle for two years in the autumn, and she knew getting attached would only make going harder.
But Mary knew it was already too latethe bond had formed that day she met Julias gaze by the road. And Julia recognised her in a special, warm, devoted way.
One weekend, though, Mary had no option but to take Julia home herselfeveryone else was busy with trips or picnics.
Just once! Mary protested under her fathers stern gaze. Everyones away
We were off to the cottage ourselves, came her mothers voice from the kitchen.
Julia ran in at once, as if realising that Mum was the one to impress. Her dragging legs were pitiable enough, but Julia added a sorrowful, hungry look that melted Mum instantly:
Poor thing Are you hungry? Mary, do you even feed her at the shop? Never mind, youre coming with us to the cottage. Dads doing a barbequeyoull love it
Mary exchanged a meaningful look with her father, but he just shook his head.
Julia was over the moon at their cottage: barbeques, and the neighbours dog, Ben, who took to her instantly. The next day, back at home, she curled up beside Marys bed as if shed always belonged there.
Returning her to the shop the next morning came as a shock to Julia. She was restless all day, and once let out into the courtyard at lunchtime, she simply vanished.
The assistants called for her, searched everywhere, but Julia never returned by closing.
Mary was devastated. She walked home, calling for Julia every step.
Julia! Oh, Julia, where are you? Please come back
She found herbarely aliveright at the entrance to her flat. It was clear the journey had been gruelling. But, seeing Mary, Julia erupted in joy: whining, licking her hands, wriggling as if she had a tail that could wag.
Returning her to the shop was pointlessshe knew the way home now, and Mary would have found it impossible to lock her away again.
So what now? her father asked, gazing at the elated Julia at his daughters feet.
Im going to help her recover, Dad. Will you help me?
Come next week, Marys holiday began, and afterwards, she planned to leave her job. She decided to devote her last two months before moving away entirely to Julia.
Her father drove them repeatedly to the regional centre, where a proper veterinary hospital had an X-ray. The doctors made no promises, but agreed to operatemeaning there was hope.
Mary moved with Julia to the cottage. She cared for her every moment, with medicines, massage, and limb exercises. Julia seemed to learn to walk all over again.
At first, it felt hopeless. But her parents, visiting, spotted tiny improvementsthe legs didnt drag lifelessly anymore, even if they sometimes slid sideways.
In a month, Julia was chasing Ben, tottering amusingly, and a month later only had a slight limp.
Mary was overjoyed, but her heart ached, knowing theyd soon part. Time was running short.
The neighbour, Bens owner, suggested,
Leave her with me. Shell have company and a familiar placenot so lonely then
On the day they left, Mary took Julia to the neighbourto visit Ben. That evening, the family was on the way to London by train. After that, a flight up to Newcastle.
Settled in, Mary rang her old neighbour. And heard the news shed feared most.
At night, Julia sensed something was wrong and tried digging out all evening. By morning, only Ben was in the garden. The neighbour, realising Julia was gone for good, headed for Marys old block.
There was Julia, waiting at the entrance. She greeted the neighbour but growled whenever anyone tried to coax her away. Soon, a crowd of neighbours gatheredeveryone knew number twenty-two was empty, and now there was a dog keeping watch, determined to wait.
However long it took.
Now Mary kept in touch with Mrs. Oliver from number twenty-three, who updated her regularly.
Your Julia sits outside like a sentry! She wont let anyone near. Ive met your neighbour from the cottage a few timesshe tried chatting and even luring Julia with sausage, but its hopeless!
Mary tried sending Mrs. Oliver money for Julias food, but she refused.
No need, Mary The whole courtyard feeds her! Theres no need for money
Winter arrived. Residents, including Mrs. Oliver, often let Julia inside to warm up. Julia would climb to the third floor, to number twenty-two, and lie on the doormat at the closed door. She seemed to understand her owners were gone, and, as soon as she felt warm enough, slipped back outsideto continue her silent watch.
Mary spoke to the girls at the bookshop too. A few times, they came round to check on Julia, who always greeted them happily, accepted treats, but would never leave her post.
Mary was tornit was agony not to rush back, but serious circumstances, money especially, kept her in Newcastle. The early 1990s were tough, and everyone got by as best they could.
She managed to return only in June. As she approached the building, she spotted Julia. The dog sat stock still, ears up, but a slight tremble betrayed she had recognised her owner and was afraid to believe her happiness too soon.
What followed were hugs, tears, and the sense that a miracle had happened. Mary felt her heart would burstand Julia seemed to feel the same.
The summer passed in a heartbeat. In August, her parents arrivedher father had a months leave, but another year-long assignment was due in September. Mary pleaded with them to take Julia with them. Her mother looked to her husband, who just frowned and sighed deeply. The journey ahead would be hard, even for people, never mind a dog unused to travel and city bustle.
Tension hovered in the air. Julia, sensitive to their mood, grew nervous and rarely left Marys side. Then, one morning, her father told her to pack, with Julia.
Come on, well get her paperwork. No trains or planes without vaccinations.
The local vet did the health documents in exchange for a couple of jars of jam and made the required notes. Official channels wouldve taken too long.
That evening, her father stitched a muzzle for Juliagetting proper dog gear was tricky then. Julia, never having worn one before, sat calmly for the fitting, as if she understood the importance, and beamed with pride and joy.
All set, youre coming with us, her father said, tying off the last thread. Just be good, Julia
And Julia was good. Not once did the family regret their choice. First, they travelled by train, then through airports and transfers. Julia flew with them on military planes all across the northshe visited the Hebrides and the Farne Islands. After a year, the family returned home.
Julia lived with us for thirteen joyful, kind, and truly happy yearsalways loyal and always by Marys side, wherever life led.
Looking back, I learned just how far the devotion of a dogor a personcan go. Loyalty endures, even across distance, hardship, and time. And when you open your heart to such trust, you find the very best life has to offer.
