“Mum, what have you done?” The daughter nearly shouted into the phone. “Why on earth a dog from a shelter? And an old, sick one at that. Have you lost your mind? Couldn’t you have taken up dancing instead?”
Nora Stevenson stood by the window, watching as a white haze softly enveloped the city. Snowflakes danced around, resting on rooftops and branches, snapping under the feet of late-night walkers. Lately, standing by the window had become a habit for her. She used to wait for her husband coming home late, exhausted and husky-voiced. A warm light illuminated the kitchen, dinner awaited on the table, and their conversations over a cup of tea…
Gradually, their conversations dwindled, her husband came home even later. He avoided eye contact, responding to her questions with curt phrases. And then one day…
“Nora, I’ve been meaning to tell you… I’ve met someone else. We love each other, and I’m filing for a divorce.”
“What? Divorce… and what about me, Alex, what happens to me?” Nora felt a sharp pain between her shoulder blades.
“Nora, we’re adults. The kids have grown up and have their own lives. We’ve been together for almost thirty years. But we’re still young. Look, we’re just over fifty. But I want something new, something fresh!”
“So, I’m just old and worn out. An outdated memory,” Nora whispered, bewildered.
“Don’t exaggerate. You’re not old… But understand, with her, I feel like I’m thirty again. Forgive me, but I want to be happy,” he said, kissing her on the head before heading to the bathroom. He washed away the remnants of their old marriage, humming cheerful tunes, while Nora was left burdened with a cosmic sadness…
Betrayal. What can be darker?
Nora didn’t notice how quickly time flew by – the divorce, Alex moving in with his newfound love. Life turned a grey shade. She had grown accustomed to living for her children and husband. Their problems were her problems, their joys and successes, hers too. Now what?
Nora spent hours by the window. Occasionally, she glanced in the small hand mirror passed down from her grandmother. In it, she saw sad eyes, a tear lost in the emerging wrinkles, a grey hair strand at her temple.
Nora feared looking in a large mirror.
“Mum, you need to find something to engage with,” came her daughter’s hurried voice, hinting she was off somewhere.
“With what, darling?” Nora’s dull voice faded through the phone lines.
“I don’t know. Books, dance classes for over fifties, exhibitions.”
“Yes, yes, for over… I’m already over…” Nora couldn’t pull herself together.
“Oh mum, sorry, I’ve to go.”
Amazingly, her son Lawrence was more understanding of her sorrow:
“Mum, I’m really sorry this happened. You know, Irina and I want to visit you, maybe for New Year’s. It’ll lift your spirits.”
Nora adored her children but marveled at how different they were…
*****
One evening, scrolling through social media, Nora came across an announcement:
“Open Day at the Dog Shelter. Come along, bring your children, friends, and family. Our pets are eager to meet every new guest! We await you at the address…”
The message continued, offering a list of needed items for those wanting to help the shelter.
Nora read it once, then again.
“Blankets, throws, old bed sheets, towels. I need to sort out all this clutter anyway. I think I have things to offer them,” she pondered late at night.
Standing by the window, she ran the list through her mind, considering what else she could afford with her not-so-large salary.
Ten days later, she was at the shelter gates. Nora arrived with gifts. The taxi driver helped unload the endless heavy bags filled with blankets and rags. Out came a rolled-up, worn carpet and a bundle of mats.
Shelter volunteers assisted guests in bringing in the bales of linen, bags of food, and gifts for the dogs.
Later, the guests divided into groups, guided by volunteers along the kennels, each with a story of its sad inhabitants…
Nora returned home exhausted. Her feet ached.
“Alright, shower, dinner, couch. I’ll think about everything later,” she told herself.
But “later” didn’t happen. In her mind, images swirled – people, cages, dogs.
And their eyes…
Eyes like the ones Nora saw in her tiny mirror. Eyes filled with sadness and disbelief in happiness.
One dog particularly struck her, an old, grey one. She seemed incredibly sad. Quietly lying in a corner, not reacting to anyone.
“That’s Lady. A Japanese Chin. Her previous owner left her at an advanced age. Lady’s already twelve. They say, with good care, they can live up to fifteen. But Lady’s old, sick, and a sad dog. Such ones, unfortunately, no one takes home,” sighed the volunteer as she led the guests further.
Nora lingered at Lady’s side. The dog didn’t react to her. Lady lay on an old blanket, like a porcelain ornament, an old dusty toy…
All week at work, Nora kept recalling that sad little dog. Within herself, a newfound strength awakened, invigorating her efforts at work.
“Lady reflects my own self. I’m not as old, but I’m alone. The kids have their own lives, and my husband stepped right over me like a doormat. But I am no doormat! No, not me!”
Nora left her office and dialed the shelter.
“Hello! I was at your open day. You told me a lot about Lady, the old dog. Do you remember?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes, yes, of course, I remember. You’re the only one who stopped by her kennel.”
“Tell me, is it possible to visit her?”
“Lady? Unbelievable! Yes, of course, come by! You can visit us this weekend,” the volunteer confirmed a time and ended the call.
That evening, Nora stood once more by the window. But this time, she didn’t dwell on her old life. She watched a man walking a large dog in the yard.
The dog raced in circles through the deserted night court, chasing a ball repeatedly brought back to his owner. The man fondly tousled the dog’s head.
The weekend approached.
“Lady, hello!” Nora crouched beside the dog. But Lady didn’t budge.
Nora sat right on the floor. She wore old jeans she’d brought to change into at the shelter.
Without moving closer, Nora began to speak…
She talked about herself, her children. About her being alone in a three-bedroom apartment with no one to share it with.
An hour passed this way. Nora inched closer to the blanket where Lady lay. Tentatively, she reached out her hand, gently touching Lady’s head. Lightly petting her.
The little dog sighed.
Encouraged, Nora continued to caress the dog with slow, measured strokes. Lady, pondering, began to nudge her head into Nora’s hand. A bond was forming.
As she left, Nora caught a thoughtful look from a pair of brown eyes. Lady seemed to wonder if this was a one-time visit, or…?
“Wait for me, I’ll be back soon,” she whispered to Lady, closed the kennel, and hurried to the volunteer.
“Well, did you two get along?” The girl smiled at Nora.
“I… I want to take her…” Nora’s breath hitched with excitement.
“Just like that, suddenly?”
“Yes, she responded. You said such oldies barely have any chances. I want to give her a chance.”
“Nora, I must warn you. Lady is a sick little dog, she’ll need care if you want to prolong her life. That means time, effort, and money.”
“I understand. I’ve raised two wonderful children. I think I can manage. Let’s give her this chance,” Nora was determined.
“Alright. I’ll prepare the adoption papers. Also, we discreetly track the well-being of our pets. Understandably, not all people…”
“Of course. I’ll provide anything you need. Photos, video calls, updates on vet visits, I’ll keep you informed.”
A few hours later, Nora entered her flat, carrying a towel-wrapped dog. She gently placed her on the floor.
“Well, Lady. This is your new home. Let’s learn together how we’ll live now.”
Nora took a few days off and dedicated her time to Lady. Vets, checkups, grooming, nail trimming, dental care…
Lady turned out to be a wonderfully mannered dog. Nora set up dog pads for her, ensuring she had space if she needed to relieve herself.
She made it a point to take Lady out early in the morning and late at night, minimizing encounters with the neighbors. She wanted Lady to adjust to her new environment, avoiding anything that might scare her.
*****
“Mum, what have you done? Are you alright?” Her daughter was nearly shouting into the phone.
“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”
“Mum, why in the world a dog from the shelter? And an old, sick dog! Have you lost it? Couldn’t you have taken up dancing?”
“Darling, your mother is young at heart. I’m only fifty-three. Healthy, beautiful, independent. And wasn’t that what I taught you!” Nora retorted.
“But Mum…”
“No ‘buts’… You have your life, your brother Lawrence is far away too. Your father has traded me for someone nearly your age. Be kind enough to respect my choices.”
Nora shut off her phone, exhaled, and wandered into the kitchen. She fancied a coffee.
“Mum, you never cease to amaze! Well done! A shelter dog – that’s commendable. Think you’ll manage?” Her son was supportive though surprised.
“Lawrence, I raised you both. Managed somehow,” Nora laughed. “I’ll manage. The shelter promised to help if needed.”
Nora hadn’t mentioned to either child that during her night walks with Lady, she met the man who walked the large dog. His name was Dale. He too was divorced, his ex-wife having moved to a new life in a new country with a new husband. His companion was a dog…
And guess where it came from?
Yes, Dale found his companion Rex at the shelter. Rex had been seized from the city streets, a full-fledged pedigree dog frantically running about until caught. Despite the tag, attempts to trace its previous owners failed. And so Dale and Rex adapted to their new lives together…
*****
“Mum, Irina and I will visit, alright? I want you to meet her soon. She’s such a firecracker, just like you!”
Nora chuckled at her son’s words.
“Come over, darling. We’re looking forward to it.”
On New Year’s Eve, when the doorbell rang, both dogs were instantly alert – Dale and Rex came to visit Nora and Lady.
Nora’s son, seeing such a gathering, was thrilled:
“Mum, I won’t wait till midnight. I’ll tell you now. This is my Irina. I love her, and you’re soon to be a granny. And we want to adopt a dog from a shelter too. But perhaps a small one for now since we’ll soon have a baby…”
That night, there were no sad windows in the city – cheers, music, and laughter filled the air, bringing joy to the city and the world.
Even in shelters, those pets yet to find a family brimmed with a special feeling – the anticipation of happiness.
So let us all be happy!
And to you, my dear friends, warm greetings and blessings from my beloved boy, Phil. I hope he has long forgotten his days at the shelter.
For now, he basks in happiness and our unending love!
I wish you all joy!
