Yes, dogs are incredibly loyal! But their loyalty belongs to those who love themand they never forgive those who betray.
…
Daisy raced after the car, not wanting to be left alone in a strange place. She didnt want to be abandoned and forgotten.
She ran after the one she loved, the one she trusted until the very end. The person she simply couldnt betraybecause she didnt know how.
Emily, meet Daisy! beamed Tom, introducing his dog to the young woman of about twenty standing at the doorstep in dazzling stilettos, so tall she nearly towered above him.
Shes gentle and very well-behaved, so you two should get along. Actually, Im sure of it!
Daisy wagged her tail happily at her owners feet, but eyed Emily with uncertainty.
Its normal for dogs to be wary of strangers. But this time, it was more than that.
Daisy sensed something deeply unpleasant about the girlan instinctual aversion that seemed to have nothing to do with her sickly-sweet perfume, which could easily have counted as a chemical weapon. Dogs have that gift: the ability to sniff out bad people.
Daisys sixth sense was particularly sharpnever once had it failed her.
When they met such people on the street, Daisy would instinctively steer well clear, dragging Tom with her, lead in handsometimes against his will. She loved her owner and wanted what was best for him.
But how could she escape from a two-bedroom flat? Besides, Tom showered Emily with affection.
He hugged her, kissed her
Noticing Daisys hostile glare, Emily seized Tom by the hand, led him to the kitchen, and, quietly shutting the door, whispered,
Why didnt you tell me you had a dog?
There was no reason to mention it, Tom whispered back. Is that a problem?
Yes, it is! I dont like dogs and I dont want that… whats her name again?
Daisy.
Daisy. Well, I don’t want her living with us. I wont move in and theres no wedding while that animals here.
But where am I supposed to put her? Out on the street? Daisy and I have been together for four, maybe five years now. I cant remember exactlybut ages!
Tom… said Emily with a hard look that brooked no argument. Its me or the dog. Decide who you care for more: me, or Daisy.
…
Rain poured down in thick sheets. The wipers worked furiously, scraping torrents of water from the windscreen, almost as if they loathed the rain as much as Tom did, racing through the dark streets with a thunderous expression.
Inside, he felt as if a bucket of slop had been dumped on his soul; he was being forced to do something horrible, something he loathed.
Yet he loved Emily, or at least he thought he did. That hardly mattered.
What mattered was this: Emilys father had promised to sort out the issues with Toms struggling business. A powerful man, he never made empty promises.
This was a real chance to stay afloat, perhaps even to expand the small building firm. He could finally turn things around, become successful. Only a fool would walk away from that chance.
Once hed left the city behind, Tom pressed hard on the accelerator as the rain hammered down, the wind gathering strength. Drops drummed against the glass, roof, bonnet, and boot, as if trying to stop him. Think about what youre doing! they seemed to scream.
Daisy lay in the back seat, watching rain trickle across the glass. Her hunch had been right. Since the stranger arrived, Tom had changed. He was coldlike the autumn rain. He no longer spoke to her, didnt pet her. He was growing distant.
Tom pulled over onto the verge and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled through the car.
He pulled up his hood and stepped outside. Daisy waited anxiously.
It happened just as she feared: the rear door slammed open, sending a puff of smoke into the damp night. Tom grabbed Daisys collar and yanked her out onto the wet tarmac. She whimpered.
Two sharp clacks followed: the rear door slammed, then the drivers side.
The car spun around and sped away, thick raindrops drumming on the metal.
Daisy, left all alone in the road, stood and stared after Tom. The rain battered her dry fur, soaking in until not a single patch remained untouched.
She tore off after the car. She ran desperately, unwilling to stay in an alien place alone. She chased after the one she loved, the one she trusted, the one she would never betray.
But she had no hope of outrunning a car doing sixty miles an hour. She wasnt a cheetahjust an ordinary dog. Her waterlogged fur weighed her down with every stride.
The red tail lights vanished in the darkness, yet Daisy pressed on, unable to stop.
Sometimes, when you cant stop yourself, fate steps in and does it for you. Not because fate is cruel, but because its hopeless to chase your past.
Tyres screeched, and a sickening thump echoed. The driver jumped from his car, his hands clutching his head.
Body splayed on the soaking tarmac, Daisy stared up. Her eyes, though brimming with confusion and sadness, still held a thread of trust.
Thank heavens, shes alive! thought Jack.
He opened the car, pulled out his coat, laid it on the back seat, then gently lifted Daisy and settled her on the makeshift bed.
It was late, so Jack could only take her to the single twenty-four-hour vet clinic in the town. On the way, he glanced at Daisy, her legs twitching as if she was still running.
The vet agreed to see the late-night patient with no charge for the initial examination. Jack awkwardly explained what had happened.
It was plain what had occurred: someone had abandoned her. Not the first time around here, sadly not the last.
Thankfully, Daisys injuries were only bruises. The vet prescribed ointment and told Jack to put ice on the swelling for a day or so.
Jack brought Daisy home, dropped his coat on the living room floor, and laid her on top.
Its only for now, he apologised.
By day ten, Daisy was on the mend. She walked with a slight limp, but walk she did, and the limp would fade with time.
Thrown out on the street, eh? Jack mused aloud as he sat beside Daisy on the bed.
Hed never owned a dog before, nor had friends who did. In truth, his whole social life had crumbled. Once, hed had matesbut now, disappointment was all theyd brought.
One ran off with his girlfriend, another left him high and dry in business, bankrupting him, while the third dragged him into some dodgy scheme that nearly landed him in serious trouble with the police.
Fortunately, it had worked out. Wanting to break with the past, Jack moved to another town.
So, whenever he had dog-parent issues, hed call the veterinarian, whod given him his card and invited him to ring any time.
Thanks to the vets advice, Jack managed to bathe Daisy, washing away all the dirt.
Hed expected a battle, but Daisy handled the bath without fuss or upset.
He also sought guidance on food and brought Daisy in for two follow-up visits to ensure no post-traumatic issues lingered.
Jack worried: Daisy barely ate, moped about, and almost ignored him entirely.
Thats normal, said the vet.
Dr Roberts advised him to take Daisy out as often as possible, which would help her heal.
Just walk her and expect nothing in return. In time, shell get used to youmaybe youll even be friends.
And so it went. Old wounds, even those of the heart, healed, and a month and a half after their meeting on the roadside, Jack and Daisy had become friends.
Perhaps Daisy wasnt his best friend yet, but he had her trustand Daisys appetite was finally improving. Now, though, she answered to Maisie.
A new life deserved a new name, after all. Maisie quickly responded to her new name, perhaps because it sounded a little like her old oneor maybe shed just had enough of the past.
Every day, whatever the weather, they strolled through the neighbourhood together and found contentment in each others company.
Except during the rain, when Maisies eyes turned sad and just a little damp. Not from the rain, but from memories.
Forgetting was hard. A dog is not human, but their emotions are much the same. Anyone who says otherwise has never lived with a dog.
One afternoon, walking in the park, Maisie did what many dogs doshe chased a cat as Jack queued for a coffee at a street kiosk.
It was a chilly November, and a hot drink was most welcome. As Jack turned, he realised Maisie was nowhere near.
He left the coffee behind and raced through the park, unsure where to run, but knowing he had to.
Meanwhile, Maisie was barking up at a cat on a tree, urging it to come down and carry on the chase.
A black Range Rover pulled up, and out stepped Tom.
He was heading towards the shop when he froze, staring straight ahead.
Daisy!
Maisie didnt register at first, but as the familiar name rang out once more and she caught the intonation, she turned to look at Tom, holding his gaze.
Daisy, come here! her former owner called, crouching down and smiling in welcome.
She wanted to run into his arms, but something held her back. No one knows exactly what dogs think in these momentsbut they are certainly thinking.
He betrayed her. Left her alone. Or did he? Maybe she misunderstood, maybe hed been searching for her all this time
Her tail gave a small wagwas it happiness, anxiety, or something else?
Seeing her hesitation, Tom quickly vaulted the fence and approached, hand outstretched.
Daisy! Daisy, love! Im so glad I found you! Come to me, come on!
Tom began stroking and hugging her; she didnt resist, but nor did she show the old excitement. She wasnt spinning at his feet, nor wagging her tail.
She just couldnt be happy, not like before. Something stopped her.
Jack came running up and saw a man dragging Maisie by her collar towards the car.
What do you think youre doing? Thats my dog!
He grabbed Tom by the shoulder and spun him around.
I said, what do you think youre doing? Thats my dog!
Seriously?
Seriously. Maisie, come!
She tried to go to Jack, but Tom kept a tight hold on her collar.
Maisie? This is Daisy! Shes my dogI raised her from a pup. Then
Then what? asked Jack, the truth dawning.
None of your business! Shes mine and Im taking her, got it?
No, you dont! Shes my dog now, and shes staying with me. Thats it. Dont press your luck.
What?!
Toms eyes blazed, his face flushed. He raised his fist, but Maisiewhod been watching the fight between her old master and newsuddenly bared her teeth, snarled, and pulled free, turning on Tom, hackles raised.
Tom frozemore out of shock than fear. Daisy had never behaved like this, never growled or threatened him.
Never had she looked at him with such steely resolveready to defend, ready to fight if needed. He lowered his hand and stepped back.
Maisie, easy. Lets go, Jack said softly.
The dog pressed herself to his side, bowing her head so he could clip the lead on.
Together, they walked down the leaf-strewn path, not once looking back. Tom stood there, fists clenched in helpless anger, watching them go.
Things hadnt worked out with Emily and they never married. Her father hadnt helped him with the business, and Tom was forced to sell up just to clear his debts. He could never forgive himself for what hed done that night.
But it was too late to change anything.
Yes, dogs are loyal. But their loyalty is for those who love them, and they never forgive a traitor.
