Simon travelled to the countryside to visit his aunt, his late mothers older sister, just as hed promised before his mum passed away. Aunt Dorothy was small and frail, and Simon had lost count of how many times hed offered to move her in with them in London, reassuring her that shed have her own room, a garden to stroll in, and plenty of other elderly neighbours for company. But Aunt Dorothy was adamant about staying in her own home.
Thus, every three months, Simon arranged a five-day unpaid leave from work and headed out to see her. Two days were spent travelling, and the three remaining days he helped with whatever she needed around the house. He was luckybeing the department manager meant he could take these short breaks. Besides, his friend owned the company.
That spring, work kept him so busy he couldnt make his March visit, so he arrived in late April instead. Aunt Dorothy looked much weaker after the winter, and her neighbour, Mrs. Margaret, told Simon that shed called the ambulance twice.
Why didnt you let me know? Simon asked, hurt. Whenever I rang, you both told me things were fine.
She made me promise not to worry you, Margaret explained. Said shed only let me call ifwell, you know.
Simon popped down to the village shop for the basics Aunt Dorothy had asked forsome sugar and salt. He also picked up groceries: rice, tinned stew, and some condensed milk. When he got back, a five-month-old shepherd pup was waiting at the front steps.
The pup looked peculiar, all big head and a long snout.
Aunt Dorothy, where did you get a puppy? Simon asked.
Oh, he wandered in about a month ago. I found him shivering by the gatepoor thing was pot-bellied and half-starved. Ive nursed him back to health. Its nice having some company.
Simon couldnt help but smile as he stroked the pups head. The dog trustingly rested his big head on Simons knee. Growing up, Simon had always wanted a dog, but his parents were against it. These days, there simply wasnt time. His wife, Helen, had kept a cat for three years, but it disappeared one day, and they never got another. They had no children; Helen couldnt have any, and theyd come to terms with it. Instead, they travelled often and enjoyed each others company.
Whats the dogs name? Simon asked.
Max. I used to call my old cat that, Dorothy chuckled.
A bit odd, dont you think, giving a cats name to a dog?
Oh, what does it matter? He answers to it.
The entire visit, Max followed Simon everywhere. Before leaving, Simon gently asked his aunt not to hide things if she felt unwell and to ring if she ever needed medication or anything else, no matter how trivial.
Im a burden to you, Simon. Always making you travel up and down the country, Dorothy sighed.
Nonsense, Aunt Dorothy. The more time we have, the better. Youre no trouble at all.
Simon, can I ask you something? Her voice was feeble. If anything happens to me, dont abandon Max. Hes a living soul too.
I wont, I promise. Ill find someone to take him, Simon replied.
No, please, take him yourself. I have a feeling he came to me for a reason.
Max nudged Simons knees just then, looking up at him with soft eyes.
Alright, Aunt Dorothy. If it comes to it, Ill take Max with me.
A month later, Aunt Dorothy passed away. Simon handled her funeral, stayed the customary nine days with the neighbours, and took Max to Dorothys grave to say goodbye.
It came time to leave. Simon brought a lead and a muzzle and took Max to the train station. He purchased tickets for a carriage that allowed animals. As soon as they settled into their compartment, Max bristled and growled at a man by the window.
The man turned, eyes wide. Bloody hell, people are bringing wolves on trains now!
Are you daft? Simon responded, Hes my dog, Max.
Thats no dog! Im a hunterI know a wolf when I see one.
Max bared his teeth and growled again.
Get that beast out, or Ill make sure he regrets it.
Id mind your tongue if you want to reach your stop in one piece, Simon calmly shot back. Were not bothering you.
Im better off waiting in the corridor for my stop, the stranger muttered, and walked out.
Left alone, Simon looked at Max and asked, only half joking, Max, you arent really a wolf, are you? The dog dropped his head onto Simons knee and wagged his tail. Well, wolf or not, youre a good sort.
The train attendant popped her head in. Excuse me, sir, is that a wolf or a shepherd?
That blokes having you on. Hes a special kind of shepherd trained for search work, Simon lied smoothly.
Alright, then. Do you have his papers? she asked.
Of course oh no! Max, Ive left your papers at the ticket office! Turning to the attendant, You know, they wouldnt have sold us a ticket without the documents.
Thats true enough, she agreed.
No documents were checked, anyway; the woman at the ticket counter was Margarets daughter. By morning, they were back in London. That very day, Simon took Max to the vet just around the corner.
The vet took one look and asked, Are you with the circus, by any chance?
No, why?
Hes a wolf.
Simon sighed, Hes a wolfnot from a circus, but from a village. My aunt passed on and made me promise to take her dog. Or wolf, it seems.
The vet approached, examining Max carefully. Hes not a pure wolfmore like a cross, perhaps with a German Shepherd. Wolf-dogs often have calm, loyal, easy temperaments. Youve got nothing to worry about. Lets register him and get his jabs done so therell be no trouble later.
Helen quickly grew fond of Max, bathing, feeding, and walking him. Ten months passed. One evening during the Christmas holidays, Helen wanted some fresh air after days cooped up inside, so she took Max for a walk to the park about ten minutes from home.
They ambled along the winding paths at dusk when Max suddenly pricked his ears up and shot off into the darkness. Helen called and called, but he didnt return for nearly ten minutes. Just as she was about to phone Simon, Max reappeared, dragging something wrapped in a blanket.
Helen ran upand there, in Maxs jaws, was a newborn baby, alive. Though Helen was a doctor, she rang 999 for an ambulance and the police at once.
Help arrived astonishingly quickly. Helen couldnt go with the baby since she had the dog, but after taking Max home, she and Simon went to the hospital themselves. There, they learned the baby was a month old and healthy. There was a note with the little girl naming her Emily, with a plea from her mother that Emily be cared for by good people.
Helen asked to see her. The moment she did, she fell in love. She turned to Simon, eyes full of unspoken hope; he nodded without a word. Helen told the nurse she was a doctor herself, and that she and her husband wished to adopt Emily so she wouldnt be sent away.
Two months later, Emily, found by Max-the-stray, came home with themjust as Aunt Dorothy had said: Max had turned up on their doorstep for a reason.
