The dog lowered his head at the sight of us, but he wouldnt budge.
It all began in December, when a thick layer of frost had blanketed the gardens and pavements across our neighbourhood in Manchester.
Rex, a large German Shepherd with a greying muzzle, turned up by the communal doorway without warning, almost as if hed stepped out of the winter mist.
Not that dog whining under the windows again! grumbled Michael as he yanked the curtains aside. Alice, cant you hear that?
I hear it, Michael, she replied, rubbing her temples.
It was impossible not to. That whining went straight through you, right down to the bone.
A young couple from Flat 23, Daniel and Heather, had moved in back in September. They brought their dog along. Rex would greet them outside every evening, bouncing with excitement, licking their handsfaithful as clockwork.
But as soon as the frost came, something changed.
Weve made up our minds, its final. Having a dog in a one-bed flat is a nightmare. Hair everywhere, and that wet dog smell. And the neighbours are complaining about the barking. If you want him, you can have him. Hes pedigreepapers included, Heather was saying to her friend on the landing.
But her friend must have refused.
Alice realised this when she saw Rex spending his fourth night shivering between floors in the cold stairwell, curled up on the concrete.
So what now? Michael didnt even want to hear her appeals. Weve got enough of our own problems.
He was forty-five, grouchier since his heart attack last yearirritable, snappy, even with her.
Hes not a stray, Alice muttered. His owners are right upstairs. Flat 23.
If he has owners, let them look after him. If not, call the dog warden.
Easier said than done. How do you explain to a dog that hes been thrown out? Betrayed by the ones he loved and trusted?
The next morning, Alice couldnt stand it any longer. She brought down a slice of ham and some bread to the freezing stairwell. Rex raised his heavy head and gave her a grateful look. He didnt snatch at the foodhe took it gingerly.
By evening, she was ready to go one step further.
What on earth are you doing? Michael stood in the doorway, red-faced with annoyance. Why have you dragged that mutt into the house?
Rex shrank against the wall, sensing he was the cause of the row. His ears flat to his skull, tail tucked between his legsapologising for merely existing.
Just one night, Michael. The frosts harsh tonight. Hell freeze out there.
One night? Then itll be just one more? And then just this last time? Alice, have you lost your memory? Were already spending our last quid on medicine, and now youre bringing in a freeloader!
Alice said nothing, stroking the trembling dogs head. What could she say? Her husband was right, really. Money was tight. His disability support barely covered basics; her pension wasnt much, either.
And whos paying for food? Or the vet? We can hardly pay our own bills! Michael huffed.
Michael, Alices voice was gentle but firm. Hes old. He wont survive the street.
So what? Hundreds of dogs die every day. You cant save them all!
Rex shuddered at the shout and tried to disappear. Alice sank down next to him, hugging his neck. His fur was thick but mattedno one had cared for him in ages.
Not all of them, she murmured. Just this one.
They lived on a knife-edge for five days. Michael banged doors, grumbled over every shed dog hair, insisted the freeloader had to go. Rex seemed to sense his precarious positionhe ate little, kept out of the way, eyes always full of apology.
Then, on Sunday, the owners arrived.
There was a persistent, aggressive knock at the door.
How dare you? Heather announced primly, standing in the hallway in her fur coat, Daniel looming beside her. You stole our dog! Thats theft!
Theft? Alice was taken aback. He was sleeping on the landing.
Hes ours! Daniel interrupted. All his documents are at ours, passport and everything. You had no right to take him.
At the sound of their voices, Rex stepped out from the kitchen. His tail quiveredshould he be happy or keep his distance?
Come on, Rex! Home, now! barked Heather.
Rex approached her but stayed by Alice.
Whats the meaning of this? Daniel snapped, losing his cool. Rex, come here! Move it!
Rex hung his head but refused to shift.
Im sorry, Alice said quietly. But hes been sleeping in the cold, on concrete. I just thought
Dont think! Its not your dog, and not your concern! Where Rex sleeps is our business! Heather burst out.
On freezing concrete? the pensioner blurted.
Even on the balcony! Well do as we pleasehes our dog!
Whats all this racket? Michael came into the hallway with his newspaper, just back from his winter job watching over the garden allotments.
Your wife stole our dog! Heather cried. We want him back nowor were going to the police!
Alice shrank inside. The last thing she needed was police trouble. Michael was furious enough about the dog.
Alice, hand him over. Lets have none of this, sighed Michael. But something changed in his face when he looked at Rex standing by Alice, pleading with his eyes.
Show your documents, Michael said suddenly.
What? The owners were thrown.
Show the pedigree. You said youve got it all.
They exchanged nervous glances.
Forgot them at home.
Then bring them here, and well talk, Michael said firmly.
Youre mad! Daniel shouted. Thats our Rex!
If hes yours, why is he freezing on the landing?
None of your business!
Its very much my business, when an animal suffers on my doorstep. Michael took a step forward, voice steely.
Whos suffering? Heather widened her heavily made-up eyes. Wed never hurt him! Whats wrong with you?
You booted an old dog out in the freezing cold and say thats not cruel? Michael stepped forward again. Alice watched him in aweshe hadnt seen him this decisive in years.
We didnt throw him out! Daniel protested. Its temporary. Were refurbishing the flat!
What refurbishment? Michael barked, startling Rex. You moved in three months ago! What refurbishment?
They faltered, caught out.
Thats our personal business, Heather said, voice trembling.
Tossing an animal out into the cold is your personal business? Michaels voice rose. Ill tell you whattake him now and care for him, or clear out and never come back!
Alice gasped. She hadnt expected thatMichael had insisted on getting rid of the dog!
Michael, what
Hush, he cut her off, never taking his eyes from the couple. Well? Are you taking him or not?
Of course we are! Heather tried to sound in charge. Rex! Homenow!
Rex lifted his head, looked at his old owners and lay down, right there in the hallway, as if to say, Im not going anywhere.
Rex! bellowed Daniel. Upnow!
The dog didnt so much as twitch.
What have you done to him? Heathers voice edged towards hysteria. Youve turned him against us!
Weve done nothing, Alice responded calmly. Hes just choosing for himself.
Choosing? Hes just a dog!
A dog who no longer recognises you, Michael said sharply. Want to know why? Because dogs dont forgive betrayal.
What do you know about us? snapped Heather. We loved him, we fed him!
And then you tossed him out like rubbish! Michael was truly angry now. Make your choiceeither take him home and treat him right, or leave and dont come back!
And if we go to court? sobbed Heather.
Go on! barked Michael, waving his mobile. But youll have to explain to the judge why your dogs been abandoned for months in a freezing hallway!
The neighbours began peering out into the hallway.
Whats going on? called Mrs Watson from the fifth floor.
Just these people keeping their dog on the landing, in the cold, Michael nodded to the pair.
I saw him! Shivering and miserable. Told my wifewhat sort of people do that? agreed old Mr Jenkins next door.
Mrs Jenkins from the fourth floor appeared, followed by the whole Roundtree family from Number 1. The hallway filled like a courtroom.
Shame on you! Get a pet, have the guts to look after it properly! Mr Jenkins shook his head.
My hamster gets better care! added Mrs Jenkins.
Heather and Daniel were surrounded by condemning eyes. Heather burst into tears; Daniel glared at everyone.
Thats enough! Michael thundered. Decide noweither take him and look after him, or leave and dont come back!
The hallway buzzed with support. Alice watched her husband in disbelief. When had he become so strong, so resolute?
Fine! Daniel suddenly snapped. Have the blasted dog! We dont want him anymore!
And with that, they stormed out, slamming the door so hard the windows rattled.
Rex lifted his head, watched the door, and let out a quiet whimper.
The neighbours drifted away, murmuring about what they’d seen. Only the three of us remained: husband, wife, and a dog that now, officially, belonged to us.
Rex got up, walked over to Michael, and gently nuzzled his hand.
Well, old boy? Michael crouched down, scratching behind his ears. Staying with us, then?
Slowly but surely, that tail began to wag. Yeshe was staying.
Michael, Alice said softly, not knowing what to say. You were against this.
I was, but not anymore, he replied, wiping his hands on his trousers. Alice, I realised something todayseeing how those two treated him.
What did you realise?
He was quiet for a long time, then sank into his chair, with Rex immediately settling beside him.
I realised were not so different from them. Living side by side, each in our own world. Me with my ailments, you with your worries. As good as strangers.
Alice felt a pang in her chest.
And then I thought, what if someone threw us away, when we became too much trouble? He stroked Rexs head. Thats a terrifying idea, Alice. Really terrifying.
Alice perched on the arm of his chair.
So, are we keeping him? she asked quietly.
We are, Michael smiled for the first time in months. Were going to be a real family, arent we, Rex?
Rex licked his cheek and laid his head on Michaels knee.
A week later, everyone in the block was amazed: Michael from Number 2 was out walking his dog every morningand looked livelier than he had in ten years.
And the young couple? Rumour had it they quietly moved away to another part of town, probably out of embarrassment.
Im sorry for them. Rex would have forgiven, if only theyd asked.
