The son and his daughterinlaw forced their elderly father out of the house he had lived in all his life. He was nearly freezing when, all of a sudden, something gently brushed his cheek. When he opened his eyes, terror froze him in place
On that cold autumn night he no longer felt his hands or his feet. A light snowfall slowly settled on his shoulders, and the icy wind cut through his wornout coat. He could not tell how long it had been since his son, with whom he had shared the home for more than forty years, slammed the door shut in his face.
María and I dont have enough room, and looking after you is a huge burden. You understand, right, dad? the son said, avoiding his fathers gaze.
I understand, the old man whispered, though every fiber of his being screamed in pain. He could not comprehend it. He could not believe that the son he had raised and devoted his best years to could say such a thing.
The day he left his home would be etched in his memory forever. A battered bag with a few belongings, his gray head bowed in shame, and tears he could barely hold back. He had nowhere to go. Neighbours averted their eyes, and the thought of a nursing home terrified him. The city seemed strange and cold.
Sitting on an old bench in the park, he remembered his wifehow they had built the house together, raised their child, dreamed of the future. She always used to say:
When were old, well sit by the fire and reminisce about our youth.
But she was gone two years ago, and since then his son and daughterinlaw saw him only as a burden.
When he closed his eyes, his body began to go numb piece by piece. His breathing slowed, his thoughts blurred. Is this what dying feels like? drifted through his mind. Then, out of nowhere, a soft, warm touch on his face made him shiver. He opened his eyes slowly and was frozen in astonishment.
Standing before him was an old stray dog he had fed near his home for many years. Its kind, loyal eyes looked at him with concern. The animal licked his hand, whimpering gently, as if begging him to get up.
You came, little one? he whispered with a faint smile.
The dog wagged its tail and pressed against his frozen legs, trying to share its heat. With the animals warmth, tears ran down the old mans cheeks. No one else remembered him. No one, except that stray dog.
Bit by bit, leaning on the bench, the elderly man pulled himself up. The dog trotted beside him, glancing back now and then as if saying, Follow me.
Where are we going, girl? he asked, bitterness in his voice.
She merely wagged her tail happily and led him through empty streets. After a few minutes they reached an abandoned shed that had once been a warehouse. The dog whined softly and nudged the door with its nose.
Inside lay a handful of straw, the air smelled damp, but it was better than nothing. The old man sat on the floor, leaned against the wall, drew the dog close and stroked its dirty yet familiar fur.
Thank you, he murmured, at least you didnt abandon me
He closed his eyes, feeling the animals heat as it curled up beside him. The past faded slowly from his mind, leaving only a faint hope that perhaps God still watched over him and had not left him behind.
The next morning, a passerby found the trembling old man and his faithful dog on the sheds porch. The dog had kept him warm throughout the night. The passerby called an ambulance, and the man was taken to the hospital. When he regained consciousness, the first thing he asked was:
Wheres my dog?
The nurse smiled:
Hes waiting for you at the entrance. He hasnt moved.
That day the old man realized that true loyalty does not hinge on blood ties. Sometimes even the closest people fail you, while those you consider strangers turn out to be your most faithful friends.
He never returned to his former home. His son and daughterinlaw sold it shortly after the incident. The elderly man moved into a shelter where he was cared for. Most importantly, his loyal dogthe same one that had appeared that freezing night when he was ready to leave this worldremained by his side forever.
