— Mum, what on earth have you done? — the daughter almost shouted down the phone. — Why on earth a dog from a shelter?! And an old, sick one at that. You must be out of your mind! Couldn’t you just take up dancing?
Nora was standing by the window, watching as the white mist slowly descended upon the city. Snowflakes danced around, settling on roofs, landing on tree branches, and breaking into tiny shards under the feet of late-night passersby. Lately, standing by the window had become a habit.
She used to wait for her husband to return from work, his voice hoarse, coming home late and tired. The soft kitchen light would be on, dinner laid out, and conversations shared over a cup of tea…
Gradually, the topics for conversation dwindled, and her husband started coming home even later. He began avoiding her gaze, responding to her questions with sparse phrases. Then one day…
— Nora, I’ve been meaning to tell you… I met someone else. We love each other, and I’m filing for divorce.
— What? Divorce… and me, what’s going to happen to me, Alex? — Nora suddenly felt a piercing pain under her shoulder blade.
— Nora, come on, we’re adults. The kids have grown up and have their own lives. We’ve spent nearly thirty years together. But we’re still young, aren’t we? Look, we’re just over fifty. I just want something new, something fresh!
— So, I’m just old and worn out. A memory past its prime, — whispered the bewildered woman.
— Don’t exaggerate. You’re not old… But you see, with her… I feel like thirty again. Forgive me, but I want to be happy, — he kissed her on the top of her head and headed to the bathroom.
He washed away the old marriage, humming cheerful tunes, while a cosmic melancholy weighed on Nora’s shoulders… Betrayal. What could be more bitter?
Nora barely noticed the passage of time — the divorce, Alex leaving to be with his new partner. Her days turned grey. She had lived for her children, for her husband. Their problems were her problems, their joys and successes, her own. But now?
Nora would spend hours by the window. Occasionally, she looked into a small hand mirror inherited from her grandmother. In it, she saw a sorrowful eye, a tear that would vanish into newly formed wrinkles, or a strand of grey in her hair.
She dreaded looking into a full-sized mirror.
— Mum, you need to find something to do, — her daughter’s hurried voice revealed she was on her way somewhere.
— With what, dear? — her mother’s dull voice got lost in the phone lines.
— I don’t know. Books, maybe, or dance classes for the over-50s, exhibitions.
— Yes, yes… over 50s… I’m already over… — Nora couldn’t gather herself.
— Oh, mum, sorry, I’m in a rush.
Surprisingly, her son Alex was much more understanding of his mother’s sadness:
— Mum, I’m really sorry things turned out this way. You know, Irena and I want to visit you around New Year’s. You’ll get to meet each other. It’ll cheer you up to have us there.
Nora adored her children, but she was struck by just how different they were…
*****
One evening, scrolling through social media, Nora came across an announcement:
“Open Day at the Dog Shelter. Come along with your children, friends, and family. Our furry friends will be delighted to meet new guests! Find us at…” It went on to detail how those wishing to help could do so by donating specific items.
Nora read it once, then again.
— Blankets, old sheets, towels, I’ve got plenty to sort through. I’m sure I have something I can give them, — she mulled over it during the night.
Standing by the window, she mentally ticked off the list of things needed, wondering what more she could buy with her modest wages.
Ten days later, she stood at the shelter gates. Nora had arrived with gifts. The taxi driver helped unload countless heavy bags filled with blankets and cloths, removed a rolled-up worn-out carpet, and a bundle of old rugs.
Shelter volunteers helped guests carry in the bundles of bedding, sacks of food, and bags of gifts for the dogs. Soon enough, guests were divided into groups by the volunteers and guided along the enclosures, hearing stories of each resident of those somber cages…
Nora returned home exhausted. Her feet felt numb.
— Right, shower, dinner, sofa. I’ll think about it all later, — she told herself.
But “later” never came. Images kept swirling in her mind – people, cages, dogs. And their eyes… Eyes she’d seen in her small mirror. Eyes filled with sadness and disbelief in happiness.
One dog in particular struck her: old and grey. She seemed so sad, lying quietly in the corner, not responding to anyone.
— That’s Lady. A Japanese Chin. Her owner abandoned her at a respectable age. Lady is also quite elderly. She’s twelve. They say, with good care, they can live up to fifteen. But Lady is old, sick, and a sorrowful little dog. Sadly, such ones are rarely taken home, — the volunteer sighed and moved the guests along.
Nora lingered by Lady. The dog didn’t react to her at all. She lay on an old blanket, like a fake dog, like an old dirty stuffed toy…
All week at work, Nora remembered the sad little dog. She suddenly found a surge of energy and threw herself into her tasks.
— Lady… she’s my reflection. Just that I’m not as old. But I’m alone. The children have moved away, my husband stepped over me like I was a rag on the pavement. But I’m not a rag! No, I’m not a rag!
Nora left her office and dialed the shelter’s number.
— Hello! I was at your open day. You told me a lot about Lady, the old dog. Do you remember?
— Yes, yes, of course, I remember. You were the only one who stopped by her cage.
— Please, can I visit her?
— Lady? Incredible! Of course, do come! Perhaps this weekend, — the volunteer and Nora discussed a visiting time and then hung up.
That evening, Nora again stood by her window. But this time, she wasn’t mired in memories of her past life. She observed a man walking a large dog in the courtyard.
The dog was running in circles in the deserted night yard, chasing a ball and bringing it back to its owner, who patted the dog’s head affectionately.
The weekend was fast approaching.
— Lady, hello! — Nora squatted next to the dog. But the dog didn’t budge in response.
Nora sat down straight on the floor. She had brought old jeans to change into at the shelter.
Without moving closer to the dog, Nora began to talk… She spoke about her life, her children, and how she was now alone in a three-bedroom flat with no one to share it with.
An hour passed. Nora moved slightly closer to the blanket on which Lady lay, slowly extended her hand towards her, and gently touched her head. She stroked her softly.
The dog let out a sigh.
Gaining some courage, Nora started stroking her with slow, deliberate motions. After pondering it over, Lady began to nuzzle her head under Nora’s hand, and thus, they made contact. As she was leaving, Nora caught the thoughtful gaze of brown eyes. The dog looked at her as if trying to understand whether this visit was just a one-off or…?
— Wait for me, I’ll be quick, — Nora whispered to the dog, closed the cage, and hastened to the volunteer.
— So, did you get to chat? — the volunteer smiled at Nora.
— I… I want to take her home… — excitement caught in Nora’s throat.
— Just like that, immediately?
— Yes, she responded. You said dogs like her have nearly no chance. I want to give her that chance.
— Nora, I need to let you know. Lady is a sick dog; she’ll need care if you wish to extend her life. It requires time, effort, and money.
— I understand. I raised two wonderful children and I think I can manage. Let’s give her this chance, — Nora was firm in her resolve.
— All right. I’ll prepare the paperwork. And also, we keep an unobtrusive track of our pets’ futures. You know, people can be different…
— Of course. I’ll do whatever you say. Photos, video calls, I’ll update you on her vet visits.
A few hours later, Nora entered her flat, carrying the dog wrapped in a towel. She placed her gently on the floor.
— Well, Lady. This is your new home. Let’s learn together how to live now.
Nora took a few days off from work to devote herself to the dog’s care. Vets, check-ups, grooming, trimming claws, dental care…
Lady turned out to be a very well-behaved dog. Nora laid out training pads for her so that Lady could relieve herself if necessary.
She tried to take her outside early in the morning and late at night, minimizing encounters with neighbors. She wanted Lady to get used to her new environment without any disturbances.
*****
— Mum, what have you done? Are you okay? — her daughter nearly shouted down the phone.
— I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.
— Mum, why on earth a shelter dog?! And an old and sick one at that. Have you lost your mind? Couldn’t you have taken up dancing?
— Sweetheart, your mum is a young woman. I’m only fifty-three. I’m healthy, beautiful, independent. And that’s not what I raised you to think! — retorted Nora.
— But mum…
— Let’s skip the ‘buts’… You have your life, your brother Alex is far away too. Your father has traded me in for practically a schoolgirl. Please, learn to respect and accept my decisions.
Nora switched off the phone, exhaled, and headed to the kitchen. She fancied a coffee.
— Mum, you’ve outdone yourself! I’d never have guessed! You’re amazing! Taking in a shelter dog is truly admirable. But will you manage? — her son was supportive, yet couldn’t hide his surprise.
— Alex, I managed to raise both of you, didn’t I? Somehow I did, — Nora laughed. — I will. The shelter promised help if needed.
Nora didn’t mention to either her son or her daughter that during her night walks with Lady, she met the very man who walks the big dog. His name was David. He was divorced, his wife had moved abroad for a new life with a new husband. And he got a dog…
And guess where the dog came from?
Yes, David had met his dog, Max, at the shelter. They had picked Max up from the streets. The healthy, pedigree dog had been running wildly through the city when he was caught. Despite the identification marks, the search for his previous owners had failed. And so, David began his life with Max, adapting to new circumstances…
*****
— Mum, Irena and I are planning to visit you, is that okay? I want you to meet her; she’s amazing. A bit wild, like you!
Nora laughed at her son’s words.
— Come over, son. We’re looking forward to it.
And on the thirty-first, when the doorbell rang, two dogs perked up instantly – David and Max had come to visit Nora and Lady.
Her son, seeing this merry group, couldn’t contain his excitement:
— Mum, I won’t wait till midnight, I’ll tell you now. Here’s my Irena. I love her, and soon you’ll be a granny.
And also — we want to adopt a dog from a shelter. But perhaps a smaller one at first, as a baby is on the way…
That night, no window in the city was sad – congratulations, music, laughter filled the city and its people with happiness.
Even in shelters, animals yet to find their families felt a special sense of hope – the expectation of happiness.
So let’s all be happy!
And to you, my dear friends, warm wishes and greetings from my delightful boy, Phil. I hope he barely remembers his time at the shelter. After all, he basks in happiness and is enveloped in our love!
Wishing you joy and happiness!
