— Mum, what have you done? — her daughter nearly shouted over the phone. — What on earth are you doing bringing a dog from the shelter?! An old, sick one at that. Are you out of your mind? Couldn’t you have taken up dancing?
Anna stood by the window, gazing out as a white haze slowly descended upon the city. Snowflakes spun in a dance, settling on rooftops and tree branches, their delicate arms breaking under the feet of late passersby. In recent times, standing at the window had become a habit.
She used to wait for her husband to come home from work, arriving late, exhausted, with a hoarse voice. The soft light on in the kitchen, a dinner on the table, and their conversations over cups of tea…
Gradually, they ran out of topics to discuss, and he started coming home even later. He avoided eye contact, answering her questions with curt phrases. And then one day, he said…
— Anna, I’ve been meaning to tell you for a long time… I met another woman. We love each other, and I’m filing for divorce.
— How? Divorce… what about me, Mark? What will happen to me? — Anna suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest.
— Anna, we’re adults. Our kids have grown, living their own lives. We’ve been together for almost thirty years. But we’re still young. Look at us, we’re barely past fifty. I want something new and fresh in my life!
— And I, what am I? Old and useless, a worn-out memory, — the stunned woman whispered.
— Don’t exaggerate. You’re not old… But understand, over there…I feel like I’m thirty again. Forgive me, but I want to be happy, — he pecked her on the head and went into the bathroom.
He washed away the remnants of his old marriage, humming cheerful tunes, while Anna was weighed down by a profound sadness…
Betrayal. What could be more bitter?
Anna lost track of time – the divorce, Mark leaving for his new partner. Her days turned grey.
She was used to living for her children, for her husband. Their problems were her problems, their illnesses, her illnesses, their joys and successes, her own. And now?
Anna spent hours by the window. Sometimes she looked at herself in a small hand mirror she inherited from her grandmother. In it, she saw a sad eye, a tear lost among the wrinkles, a grey hair at her temple.
Anna was afraid to look in a large mirror.
— Mum, you need to find something to do, — her daughter’s hurried voice signaled she was off somewhere.
— What should I do, dear? — her mother’s dull voice faded over the phone lines.
— Oh, I don’t know. Books, maybe dancing classes for “those of a certain age,” or exhibitions.
— Yes, for those of a certain age. I’m certainly there now, — Anna struggled to pull herself together.
— Oh, Mum, sorry, I have to go.
Surprisingly, her son Alex was more understanding of his mother’s sadness:
— Mum, I really am sorry for what happened. You know, Irina and I want to visit you, maybe for New Year’s. It’ll lift your spirits seeing us.
Anna loved her children but marveled at how different they were.
*****
One evening, while browsing social media, Anna came across an announcement:
“Open House at the Dog Shelter.
Come along, bring your family and friends.
Our furry friends will be thrilled to meet their new guests!
We expect you at the address…”
There was also a note on how to help the shelter, along with a list of needed items.
Anna read it once, twice.
— Blankets, bedding, old linen, towels. I need to clear out some of that clutter. I’m sure I have items to spare, — she mused at night.
Standing by the window, she mentally noted what else she could buy with her not-so-large salary.
Ten days later, she stood at the shelter gates. Anna came bearing gifts. The taxi driver helped unload the endless heavy bags filled with blankets and linens. He pulled out a rolled-up worn carpet and a bundle with small rugs.
Shelter volunteers assisted guests in bringing in the bundles of bedding, bags of food, gifts for the dogs.
Later, volunteers divided the guests into groups, guiding them through the kennels, sharing the story of each melancholic cage resident…
Anna returned home tired. She couldn’t feel her feet beneath her.
― Right, shower, dinner, sofa. I’ll think about it all later, — she told herself.
But “later” never came. Images kept spinning in her mind – people, cages, dogs.
And their eyes…
Such eyes Anna had seen in her little mirror. Eyes filled with sadness and disbelief in happiness.
One dog especially struck her, old and grey. She was so sad. She lay quietly in the corner, not reacting to anyone.
— That one’s Lady. A Japanese Chin. Her owner abandoned her at a very advanced age. Lady’s old now too, she’s twelve.
They say with good care, they can live to fifteen. But Lady’s old, sick, and a sorrowful dog. Unfortunately, such dogs are rarely taken home, — the volunteer sighed and led the guests further.
Anna lingered by Lady. The dog did not respond to her. She lay on an old blanket like a ragged, dirty toy…
All week at work, Anna recalled the sad dog. The woman herself suddenly felt reinvigorated and showed newfound enthusiasm at work.
— After all, Lady is my reflection. I’m not yet that old. But lonely. My kids have flown the nest, my husband stepped over me like a rug on a pavement. But I’m not a rag! No, I’m not a rag!
Anna left her office and dialed the shelter’s number.
— Hello! I was at your open day event. You told me a lot about Lady, the elderly dog. Remember? — she asked hopefully.
— Yes, yes, I remember. You were the only one who stopped by her cage.
— Please, can I visit her?
— Lady? Unbelievable! Of course, come by! Maybe over the weekend? — the volunteer arranged a visiting time and hung up.
That night Anna stood at the window again. But this time, she wasn’t reminiscing her past life with sadness. She watched a man in the yard playing with his big dog.
The dog dashed around the empty night courtyard. Chasing a ball, fetching it back to his owner time after time. The man gently ruffled the dog’s head.
The weekend approached.
— Hello, Lady! — Anna crouched beside the dog. But Lady didn’t flinch.
Anna sat down on the floor. She had brought along old jeans to change into at the shelter.
Without approaching too closely, Anna started talking…
She spoke about herself, about her children. How she was alone in a three-bedroom apartment with no one to share it with now.
An hour passed like that. Anna leaned slightly towards the blanket Lady was lying on. She gently reached out a hand. Touched her head. Softly stroked her.
The dog sighed.
Encouraged, Anna began to pet Lady with smooth, slow movements. Lady, considering, inclined her head to receive the gentle touch. A connection was formed.
When leaving, Anna caught a deliberate brown-eyed gaze upon her. Lady looked at her, seemingly trying to decipher if this was a one-off meeting or…?
— Wait for me, I’ll be quick, — she whispered to the dog, closed the cage, and hurried to the volunteer.
— So, you had a nice chat? — the girl smiled at Anna.
— I…I want to take her home… — Anna’s breath hitched with excitement.
— Just like that?
— Yes, she responded. You said dogs like her hardly get a chance. I want to give her this chance.
— Anna, I should warn you. Lady is a sick dog, she’ll need care if you wish to extend her life. That’s time, effort, and money.
— I understand. I’ve raised two wonderful children. I believe I can handle it. Let’s give her this opportunity, — Anna insisted confidently.
— Very well. I’ll prepare the paperwork. And also — we unobtrusively track the fate of our animals. Understand, people can be unpredictable…
— Of course. Anything you need. Photos, video calls, all vet visits, I’ll keep you posted.
A couple of hours later, Anna entered her flat, carrying the towel-wrapped dog in her arms. She set her down on the floor.
— Well, Lady. This is your new home. Let’s learn together how to live now.
Anna took a few days off and focused entirely on the dog. Vets, check-ups, grooming, claw trimming, removing bad teeth…
Lady turned out to be a well-behaved dog. Anna laid down pads for her so that in case of need, Lady could relieve herself.
Anna tried to take her outside early in the morning and late in the evening, minimising encounters with neighbours. She wanted Lady to get used to the new conditions without being scared.
*****
— Mum, what have you done? Are you alright? — her daughter nearly screeched through the line.
— I’m alright. Thanks for being concerned.
— Mum, what on earth is this about a shelter dog?! An old and sick one. You’re losing it! Couldn’t you just take up dancing?
— Darling, your mum’s a young woman. I’m only fifty-three. I’m healthy, beautiful, independent. And that’s what I taught you! — Anna retorted.
— But, Mum…
— No ‘buts’… You have your life, your brother Alex is far away. Your Father has swapped me for practically a schoolgirl. Please, learn to respect and accept my decisions.
Anna switched off the phone, exhaled and headed to the kitchen. She craved a cup of coffee.
— Mum, you’re incredible! I hadn’t guessed! A dog from a shelter is commendable. Will you have the patience? — her son supported her, though he was amazed.
— Alex, I raised you two, didn’t I? Managed somehow, — Anna laughed. — I’ll manage. The shelter promised to help if needed.
Anna didn’t tell either her son or daughter that during her night walks with Lady, she met a man who walked with a large dog.
His name was David. He was divorced; his wife moved on to a new life in another country with a new husband. And he got a dog…
And guess where from?
Yes indeed, David found his dog, Bruno, at the shelter. Bruno had been picked up by animal control. The large pedigree dog had been frantically running through town when they caught him.
Attempts to find his previous owners, despite the tattoo, were unsuccessful. So, David began his life with Bruno, adjusting to the new circumstances…
*****
— Mum, Irina and I are planning to visit you, can we? I want you to meet her. She’s amazing. Just like you!
Anna laughed at her son’s words.
— Come along, dear. We’ll be waiting for you.
And on the thirty-first, when the doorbell rang, two dogs perked up at once – David and Bruno came over to Anna and Lady’s home.
Her son, seeing this gathering, exclaimed:
— Mum, I won’t wait till midnight, I’ll tell you now. This is my Irina. I love her, you’re going to be a grandmother soon.
And also — we want to get a dog from the shelter. But maybe a small one first. After all, the baby’s coming soon…
That night there were no sad windows in the city — congratulations, music, and laughter filled the streets and the world with joy.
And even in shelters, the dogs and cats who hadn’t yet found their family were filled with a special feeling — a hope for happiness.
Let us all be happy!
Sending you my warmest greetings and well wishes from my charming lad, Phil. I hope he no longer remembers his time in the shelter.
He revels in happiness and bathes in our love!
I wish you joy!
