Dog That Brought Me Back to Life After Betrayal
I was happy with Sarah.
My wife Sarah and I had married for love, despite all the obstacles in our way. Our parents opposed our union—her family was not well-off, and mine couldn’t boast of wealth either, but we had love. The only ones who supported us were our friends.
At first, we faced numerous challenges. Unable to rent a flat due to being students without a steady income, we bounced from one friend’s home to another—staying a month here, then there. We worked as best as we could, saving every pound.
Eventually, when we received our first paychecks, we managed to lease a tiny attic flat. It was cold in winter, the roof leaked, but to us, it felt like a palace. We were together, and that seemed to be all we needed.
Over time, we found our footing, graduated from university, secured good jobs, bought a spacious flat, and a car. Our daughter was born. We aimed to provide her with the best, and when she grew older, we sent her abroad for studies. She quickly adapted to her new life and was thriving.
I believed that Sarah and I were doing great.
I was mistaken.
The Betrayal I Never Expected
When she said she was leaving, I couldn’t believe it.
I thought it was a terrible joke, perhaps a way to test my love, to see how I would react.
But no.
In silence, she packed her things, changed clothes, retrieved a suitcase from the wardrobe where we used to store Christmas decorations, and headed for the door.
“I’m sorry,” was all she said.
I watched as she crossed the threshold and closed the door behind her… in that instant, my life shattered.
The Pain That Torn Me Inside
The next day, I couldn’t even muster the strength to get out of bed. I called work, claiming I was ill, and stayed in that manner for an entire week.
I clutched Sarah’s pillow, the lingering scent of her still present. I inhaled deeply, hoping that if I held onto the past long enough, it wouldn’t fade away.
But it vanished.
I stopped eating and became oblivious to the world around me.
The only living creature that continued to believe in me was my dog, Max.
He Wouldn’t Let Me Give Up
Max wandered around the flat, looking into my face, nudging me with his paw. He waited for me to rise, for us to go for walks as we always did.
For the first time in my life, I ventured outside in an old tracksuit, unshaven, completely dazed.
Upon our return, I once again lay in bed.
Then the unexpected happened.
Max ceased eating.
I placed his bowl before him, but he merely lay beside it, silently gazing at me with his warm eyes.
He even refused to go for walks.
In that moment, I realized he wasn’t merely grieving—he was showing me that I needed to pull myself together.
It was as if he were saying, “You cannot just give up.”
I forced myself into the bathroom for a shower. As soon as I emerged, Max approached his bowl and began to eat.
He waited for me to take the first step.
This marked the beginning of my return to life.
Fate Orchestrated by a Dog
I continued working, busying myself with tasks to avoid overthinking.
However, during the evenings, when the flat grew too quiet, loneliness would envelop me.
Max sensed this. He would lie by the bed, resting his head under my hand, as if reminding me, “You’re not alone.”
Months flew by. One day, while walking him in the park, I slackened the leash, and he suddenly sprinted off.
I panicked and chased after him.
Then I saw him stop in front of an unfamiliar man—around my age, with another dog. Max calmly sat beside him while the man smiled and stroked his head.
I halted, breathing heavily.
“What a lovely dog,” the stranger remarked. “I’ve seen him around here before. But I’m seeing his owner for the first time.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
That’s how I met Oliver. Or, more accurately, that’s how Max introduced us.
Initially, we would only encounter one another during walks.
Then we began meeting for coffee.
Soon, coffee turned into wine.
Ultimately, we realized we didn’t want to be alone any longer.
One Saturday, I gathered everything that reminded me of Sarah, packed it all in a box, and took it out to the rubbish.
For the first time in ages, I felt as though I was truly breathing.
Now, Oliver and I are together, but we’re not hurrying—we’re living at our own pace, savoring each moment.
But one thing is certain: If it weren’t for Max, I would have remained trapped in that darkness I found myself in after the betrayal.
My friend, my loyal dog, showed me that life continues.
And perhaps, the best lies ahead.
