People were astonished: in an abandoned house, a dog was feeding not puppies
Margaret Hopkins was trudging home from the shops, arms laden with heavy bags, wrapped up in her own thoughts. Her knees were aching again, her granddaughter had promised to call but hadnt, and the winter seemed oddflurries one day, sludgy drizzles and grey puddles the next. Thoughts tumbled in her mind, and suddenly she nearly slipped and sprawled across the pavement.
She spun aroundan auburn mongrel had darted right between her legs. Thin as a whisper, ribs pressing tautly against the skin, its matted fur clumped in ragged tufts.
Watch where youre going, you scamp! she muttered, exasperated.
The dog didnt stop or even glance back, racing off as if someone waited for her. Something bread-like clutched in her jaws.
Bet shes got pups stashed away somewhere, Margaret mumbled. Springs not far, after alleverythings multiplying.
She hitched her bags and shuffled on, yet couldnt shake the odd sensation that lingered. Something about the scene nagged at her, as if a piece just wouldnt fit.
The next day it happened again. That same russet streak in the yard, the same bread in her teeth, the same pathleading to the derelict house at the gardens end, where old Mrs. Watkins had once lived. Mrs. Watkins had died half a year before; her house now stood empty, windows dark and brooding.
Margaret, look, its your friend again! called Lucy from the upstairs window. Day in, day outthat one. Where does she even find something to eat?
What food? Margaret paused.
There, in her teeth. Rummages in the bins, maybefeeding puppies, mothers instincts and all.
You sure its pups shes feeding?
Who else would it be? Springs round the corner. Nature takes her course.
Margaret gave a distracted nod, but the thought stuck like a thorn. Puppies seemed logical. Yet, somehow, it didnt sit right.
The auburn dog darted once more through a gap in the leant-over fence and disappeared into the overgrown garden. Margaret hesitated.
What am I playing at? she chided herself. May as well have a look. The whole neighbourhoods gossiping anyway.
She slipped carefully through the same gap. The fence creaked mournfully but held its ground. Inside lay nothing but wild waist-high nettles, shards of glass glinting among rusty kettles and old pans.
A faint sound came from deeper in the yard: a soft, barely-there whimper.
Margaret edged toward it, circled the ruins of a collapsed shed, and froze.
The auburn dog sat by a dilapidated kennel. Before her lay a large black dog, muzzle greying, chained to a post by a measly length of rust. Blind.
Her eyes were veiled in a milky haze, body gaunt as bone, pelt twisted into felted knots. She lay on her side, breath shallow as moth wings.
The auburn dog carefully set the bread before her, nudged it with her nose, and waited.
The black dog moved her head weakly, found the bread, and hungrily gnawed. The auburn one just watched, silent, no wag in her tail.
When the bread was gone, the auburn dog gently licked the black ones muzzle and lay down beside her.
Margaret stood rooted. Her eyes burned.
My goodness shes feeding her. Every day. Hungry herselfbut she shares.
How long she stood she couldnt say. She started when the auburn dog lifted her head and looked straight at her. In that gaze, Margaret saw: Well, what are you doing? Move along or help out.
Waitjust a moment, Margaret whispered.
She spun and ran homefaster than she had in twenty years. Her knees protested, her side ached, but she didnt stop.
At home she gathered everything edibleboiled chicken, porridge, sliced hamgrabbed a dog bowl, filled it with water, and hurried back.
The scene hadnt changed: auburn beside the black.
Here, she panted, kneeling. Go on, have this.
She laid the chicken before the auburn dog. But the dog just watched the black one.
You silly thing! You need feeding yourselfjust skin and bones
Margaret understood. She placed the meat near the black dogs nose. The black dog perked, found it, and devoured every piece.
The auburn dog swallowed hard but held back. She waited.
Only when the black dog finished did she gingerly eat what was left.
Thats it Margaret murmured softly.
Both dogs drank for a long time. Margaret dabbed at her eyes.
Why are you blubbering? Lucys voice came from the fence.
She stood in the gap, gawping.
So thats who shes feeding, Margaret managed. Not puppies.
Lucy said nothing for a while, drawing a heavy breath.
Who left her here like this?
Mustve been Mrs. Watkins. Had her on a chain. And when she died, no one remembered the dog.
Six months
Six months shes been sitting here alone. Only this auburn one found her. Feeds her. Every day.
Lucy crouched down, stroking the auburn dog.
Good girl good girl.
By evening, almost the entire block had gathered in the yardsome brought food, others blankets. The men set about the chain, but it was too thick by far.
We need an angle grinder, said Uncle George. Ill bring one tomorrow.
Next morning he returned with the tool. Neighbours gathered once more.
Easy, George! Lucy called. Dont scare her easy now!
The grinder whirred, sparks flying. The black dog flinched, tried to rise.
The chain snapped.
There, shes free, George sighed, mopping his brow.
Margaret sank to her knees beside the blind dog, gently stroking her head.
Well now, will you come with me? she whispered. Ill feed you. My place is warm; Ill take the auburn one too. Both of you.
A feeble tail wagshe understood, every word.
Margaret tried to lift her but couldnt managethe dog was too heavy.
Let me, George said softly, gathering the dog in his arms. Where to?
Number three. Flat twenty-one.
As they crossed the yard, the neighbours parted quietly. The auburn dog trotted at her side, ears back, tail tucked tight.
Its alright, Margaret murmured to her. You both can come.
Outside the building, the regular bench-bound grannies in their coats waited.
Maggie, whats all this? one frowned. Bringing dogs into the flat?
Yes, she replied simply.
But theyre mangy! Dirty! Youll have them stinking up the place!
Ill wash them.
What about the neighbours?
What about them? Margaret suddenly cried, so loud she startled herself. For half a year that dog was chained up hereblind, starving! No one noticed! Only this auburn girl, she noticed. We just walked by!
Her throat wobbled; she gasped for breath. The women turned away, shuffling feet.
I didnt know, someone mumbled. Mrs. Watkins passed and no one said
Exactlyno one said anything! Margaret wiped her eyes. No one cared.
She turned, heading for the doorway. George followed, auburn at her heels.
At home, Margaret spread an old blanket and George laid down the black dog.
There we are, he exhaled. Do you need anything?
No, thank you. Ill manage.
When the door closed behind him, Margaret leaned back. The auburn dog sat beside the black one, eyes fixed on Margaret, gratitude shining so plainly it pulled at her heart.
Right, she sighed. Time to introduce ourselves. Im Margaret. And youwhats your name?
The auburn dog yapped lightly.
Auburn youll be. And you, she turned to the black, youll be Shadow. Agreed?
She set down a bowl of porridge with meat for Shadow, who sniffed hesitantly, spooked by her new world.
Come on now, Margaret took a bit and held it under Shadows nose.
Shadow gingerly took it from her hand.
Clever girl, whispered Margaret. Eat up, darling.
She fed her gently, piece by piece, patient and kind. The auburn dog watched, then suddenly curled her head into Margarets lap. Margaret knew at oncethis was trust, this was thanks.
That evening, Lucy rang.
How are they? Surviving?
They are, Margaret said wearily. Both asleep now.
And you? Not sleeping?
I cant. Thinking.
About what?
Margaret paused.
About how people can be worse than animals sometimes. That dogshe never forgot the other. But us? We just walk by, every day. Pretend not to see.
Maggie, dont do this to yourself.
I cant help it! she cried. I cant! Its shameful, Lucy. Utterly shameful!
She put the phone down, slid to the floor beside her new companions, curled up, and wept quietly.
A week passed. Shadow slowly gained strength. First she lay, then cautiously got to her feetunsteady, swaying, but up at last. The auburn dog stayed at her side, guiding her like a seeing-eye friend.
Theres your guide, Shadow, Margaret said. Couldnt have a better one.
The story spread round the blockthrough Lucy, of course.
Have you heard about Margaret? the grannies whispered. Took in two dogs. Both at once!
They say ones blindand chained up half a year.
And the other one fed her! Imagine that!
It cant be
Lucy saw it with her own eyes!
When Margaret took the dogs out, people paused: some smiled, some shook their heads.
Youre a star, Maggie, George told her once. A true soul.
Nonsense, she brushed him off. That auburn ones the true soul. I just stopped at the right moment.
One evening came a knock on the door. A young woman stood outside.
Hello, are you Margaret Hopkins?
I am. And you are?
Im Emily. I heard about your dogshow you saved them. I wondered could I help? Im a vet. I can check on Shadow for you. No charge.
Margaret was taken aback.
No charge?
No. I just want to help. May I?
Come in, then.
Emily gave Shadow a thorough examination, then stood up.
Shes old. Not well. Sight wont come back. But she can live, with proper care.
What should I do?
She produced some medicine.
Vitamins, for joints, ointment for her paws. Ill write up how to use them.
How much do I owe?
Nothing, Emily smiled. Its a giftfrom me, and everyone touched by your story.
Margarets eyes stung again.
Thank you.
No, thank you, Emily murmured, scratching the auburn dog.
When the door shut, Margaret sank onto the sofa. Shadow settled by her feet, auburn beside her. And, for the first time in years, Margaret felt keenlyshe was truly needed.
And it was happiness.
