You know that feeling when you think nobodys happy you have to go off again, hunt for a new hideout and a bite to eat but your paws just cant hold up that ragged, sick body? Exactly the same for me: no ones waiting, Ive got to crawl on, find shelter, find food and my paws are already giving up on this exhausted, ailing frame.
Emily Harper has always been the sort of person who takes responsibility seriously. In the nursery she kept an eye on the kids making sure they put their toys back where they belong. At primary school she was put in charge of the duty rota. At university she led her project group. At work shed gladly collect money for office parties and coworkers gifts. Its like a sense of duty is woven into her very character.
So when the residents of the block all voted her in as the stairwell warden, Emily wasnt shocked. Even though she was still young, she threw herself into the job with real enthusiasm.
Emily, the flats on the fourth floor are shouting right up to the early hours we cant get any peace, complained Mrs. Anne Thompson, the elderly neighbour.
Emily set things straight. She spoke to the noisy lot so convincingly that even the loudest residents admitted their fault and promised to change.
Emily, someone just flings their rubbish into the bin instead of taking it to the wheeliebin! the tenants grumbled.
Emily stood firm, stared the troublemakers down, and shamed them mercilessly. The stairwell sparkled, the flowerbed by the entrance burst with colour. She was proud of the order. Sometimes shed even pause outside the building just to admire the result. Everything was as it should be she handled it like a smart girl.
All that was fine until one day a dog turned up on the doorstep
A scruffy, mangy, limping redmixed mutt had shuffled its way to the building and curled up under the balcony, trying to get through the night.
The children were the first to spot it. They went over, but the mums, seeing the danger, shouted in a panic:
Back off! It could bite!
They grabbed the kids and tried to shoo the poor animal away:
Get out of here! No! Go away!
The dog tried to stand, failed, then tried to crawl, but even that was too much. It started whimpering, looking at the shouting people with big tears rolling down its face.
The mums were at a loss. It seemed the situation called for firm action, yet calling the animal control or the police felt excessive. Thats when Emily stepped into the courtyard their last hope.
Theres a dog! they cried in unison. Emily, sort this out! Its dangerous!
Emily moved closer and peered under the balcony. Their eyes met hers, stern; the dogs, bewildered.
The dog sighed and made one more futile attempt to pull itself away. It realised it wasnt needed here, but it had no strength left to walk or even crawl. A soft whine escaped its lips.
Emilys heart clenched.
It looks like its leg is injured, she said loudly. We should take it to the vet.
The mums exchanged glances, each thinking, Just hope we dont have to get our hands dirty! and hurried the children back inside:
Oh dear, weve got to go, the kids need to sleep! Come on, Emily, fix this!
And they left the girl with the abandoned animal.
Emily sighed, reached into her bag and counted whether she had enough cash for a vet visit. She couldnt lift the dog herself it was filthy and heavy.
She looked around for help and spotted an old Mini pulling up in front of the stairwell the same model the Clarke family used.
Out of the car hopped Tom Clarke.
Well, look at that the whole blocks watchdog! he chuckled.
Could you give us a hand? Emily asked, nodding toward the balcony.
Tom lowered himself, spotted the dog.
Yours? he asked.
Of course not! Emily snapped, flustered, We just need to help. The vets close but weve got no transport.
Tom sized up the mutt, then his car, and sighed:
I know my mate Liza will have a fit if she finds out! he said, But what are we to do for a good cause?
He rummaged in the boot, pulled out a faded blanket and laid it across the passenger seat.
Lets get this little one to the vet. If anything goes wrong, youll cover me, he said.
Deal! Emily promised, then turned gently to the dog: Come on, sweetheart, were taking you to the vet. Hold tight.
The dog let itself be lifted without protest. Emily stroked it all the way, whispering soothing words.
At the animal clinic a young vet with shaggy hair and a serious face examined the patient, put a splint on the injured leg and prescribed medication.
Its a fracture, so itll need plenty of rest, the vet explained.
And its pregnant? Emily asked, surprised and feeling a bit foolish.
Looks like its early, the vet nodded.
What do we do with it then? Emily asked, almost at a loss.
I cant take it home, Tom said, shaking his head. Liza will have it removed from the building.
Ive got no place for it either, Emily added softly.
They needed a quick solution.
Lets gather all the residents! Together well figure something out, Tom urged.
Hope youre right, the vet replied. Ill make a note to check back in a week. Whats your name, by the way?
Emily, she answered.
And the dogs name? the vet asked.
Emily and Tom looked at each other the mutt had no tag, no collar.
Agatha! Emily blurted out first.
The dog perked up its ears and turned its head toward Emily.
How about that? Agatha, okay? Emily asked gently.
The dog sneezed.
Agreed, the vet smiled, You can keep Agatha. Im sure shell be a good companion.
When the three of them returned to the block, Mr. John Clarke stood on the stairs, arms crossed, a stern look on his face.
Where the hell have you been? he barked, but softened as soon as he saw Tom cradling the dog, opening his eyes wide.
A dog showed up, its pregnant, we took it to the vet, Tom tried to explain quickly. We thought wed make a little nest under the balcony Its pitiful, isnt it?
A nest under the balcony in this cold? She needs warmth and a proper home! John snapped. We should sort something out with the neighbours.
Exactly, Tom continued, Maybe we can all pitch in.
Surprisingly, John didnt argue. A maternal instinct seemed to take over. He and Emily went doortodoor, calling a meeting of all the flats.
No one wanted to adopt the dog, but a suggestion emerged: pool the money for a dog house, set it up under the balcony, and create a small fund for food.
Thus Agatha got her own little home.
A tiny, cosy dog house was placed beneath the main building, almost like a miniature version of the block. Inside they tucked soft blankets and made a comfy bed. Agatha gingerly climbed in, careful not to strain her sore leg.
I think we should write a statement for the local council, Emily suggested. Make it official.
The residents signed quickly, and Emily took the paperwork to the police station. Luckily they were understanding and gave permission for the dog to stayover in the communal area.
When Emily got back to her tidy flat, the sense of duty settled over her, but sleep still eluded her. After a few attempts she dressed and went to check on Agatha.
How are you feeling? she asked, sitting on the bench outside.
The dog gave a soft whine. She was warmer now, the pain had eased, and most importantly, a human was by her side whom she was beginning to trust.
Ill come back soon, Emily promised. Maybe well think up something even better.
She didnt yet know what the future held.
Emily kept ferrying Agatha to the vet until she was fully healed. The young vet, Dr. Victor, kept an eye on both the reddish mutt and the diligent, honest Emily.
He eventually proposed to her, and they planned to move into his countryside cottage, where both people and pets could live together.
Meanwhile John Clarke discovered he was going to be a dad, and the whole building felt calmer. When baby Lily was born, even the usually grumpy Mrs. Anne Thompson just smiled instead of complaining.
The fourthfloor block saw a wave of positive change, though no one ever thought to trace it back to the day a red dog appeared under the balcony.
And Emily, whod moved house but kept her restless, bighearted spirit, now sits in the garden playing with Agatha and her little pups, smiling and thinking:
Im so happy thanks, universe! It all started with our Agatha, the blocks dog.
