**Diary Entry**
Life has a way of surprising youmoments of warmth, compassion, and fleeting seconds of pure humanity that catch you off guard.
She mewed softly, hopefully, as if pleading for help, but the passersby either didnt hear or chose to ignore her. The trembling puppy, shivering with fear, flinched every time someone walked past, its wide eyes full of terror.
Every morning, I walked past five houses to the taxi stand where the same driver always took me to the office. I worked as a financial analystdemanding work, advising companies, spotting inefficiencies, optimising processes.
The grind left little room for anything else. Wake up, work, collapse into bed. Repeat.
But thats just background. This story is about something else.
To make it to work by eight, I had to be at the taxi stand by half past seven. The office was in another part of London.
That morning, the usual taxi wasnt there, so I waited, arms crossed against the wind. Something made me turnmaybe the rustle of leaves, or the strange prickle of being watched.
Tucked between two buildings, I saw them: a stately grey cat and a tiny, shivering puppy pressed against her. The cat licked the puppy now and then, glancing warily at the people passing by.
She mewed, but no one stopped. The puppy flinched at every footstep, burrowing deeper into the cats side. The cat wrapped her tail around him, nuzzling him protectively.
I dug through my bag, pulled out a sandwichham and cheeseand set the ham near the cat. The rest, I placed in front of the puppy. He flattened himself against the pavement, shaking.
The cat looked at me, gave a soft mew, and nudged my hand with her head before shielding the pup again, licking him as he nibbled at the food.
I didnt realise Id been staring until the taxi driver shouted:
Oi! You deaf? Get in, lets go!
The next day, I brought them food. Some small part of me hoped theyd still be there. They were. The cat mewed happily, the puppy wagged his tail. From then on, I brought breakfast and left something in the evenings.
That morning, rain poured down. I hurriedit was going to be a stressful day. After leaving their food, I stroked the cat and the puppy. Standing, I met the cleaners glare.
Bloody strays! he muttered. More mess for me to clean. Sod off! He raised his broom, aiming at the animals.
The puppy yelped, scrambling behind the cat. She arched her back, shielding him, bracing for the blow.
I dont remember moving. I just found myself in front of themright in the brooms path.
The sharp crack against my leg and side sent pain shooting through me. I gasped, hands flying to my face.
The cleaner froze. II didnt mean!
I ignored him. The cat stared at me, stunned. The puppy peeked out, tail wagging hesitantly. Wincing, I crouched and stroked them both.
At work, my boss gasped at the scratches on my leg and torn tights.
What happened? Who did this?
When I explained, she grabbed her phone. Im calling the police! Hitting a woman with a broom? Hes lost his mind!
Dont, I said quietly. Please.
Are you serious? You cant just let this go!
Im not forgiving him. I just dont want him chasing them away. Let them stay.
Fine, she sighed. Bring them here tomorrow. Well take them to a sheltera good one. Theyll be together. Agreed?
I nodded, though something inside me protested.
That night, I barely slept. The word *shelter* echoed in my dreams, jolting me awake, heart pounding.
Morning came, grey and wet. Five houses. Not far, but today it felt endless. I left their food, hesitated, then turned to go.
The taxi driver honked, shouting through the window. I waved*just a second.* Then a gust of wind wrenched my umbrella inside-out, and the cat let out a frantic yowl.
I dropped the umbrella. The cat rushed to my feet, pressing close.
Hey, whats wrong? I murmured, stroking her rain-soaked fur. They say the shelters nice youll be together fed
Who was I trying to convince? The cat? The puppy?
Myself.
The taxi roared awayonly for a lorry to smash into it seconds later, crumpling metal, shattering glass.
Silence. Then screams, sirens. Everyone ran toward the wreck. I stayed.
The cat sat calmly on the wet pavement. The puppy nuzzled her side. Both looked at me.
I picked up the ruined umbrella, tilted my face to the rain. It didnt stingit soothed.
I tossed the umbrella aside, shrugged off my coat, and laid it near the cat.
Come on, I said. Were going home.
The cat dipped her head, gently picked up the puppy by the scruff. I walked back, cradling the bundle in my arms.
The rain kept falling. Salty or wet, I couldnt tell.
My leg didnt hurt anymore. And for the first time in ages, I smiled.
Somewhere behind us, the cleaner muttered curses, spitting in disgust.
Five houses. Just five steps into a new lifeone with warmth, kindness, and moments that make us human.
And the rain still poured. Like the angels were weeping. For us. For our haste. For our coldness.
