He was left alone in a house that had become empty in a single day. Just yesterday, the walls had heard the owner’s footsteps, just yesterday, the smells of cooking filled the air, and on the old sofa lay a warm blanket, in which he loved to bury his nose. And today… silence. And the hum of emptiness.
At first, he didn’t understand. He simply sat by the door, listening to no one return. He barked softly, as if calling, but only a cold draft answered. Hope lingered within him—what if he was simply delayed, what if he returned, opened the door, and everything would be as before.
«You promised that we would always be together…» he said silently, listening to every sound outside the window.
Day turned to night, night to day. He searched for water in empty bowls, and for food among the old crumbs on the floor. He realized what he needed to look for and went out into the yard. But the yard was empty, and beyond the fence lay a strange, unwelcoming world.
«Hey, dog!» the boy shouted, passing. «Whose are you?»
The dog ran to the gate, wagging its tail. There was a plea in its eyes: «Tell me you know where my man is…» But the boy merely shrugged and walked away, leaving a rustling sound behind him.
The rain wet his back, the cold penetrated his bones, but he still returned to the door. It was his last link to his past life. He lay down beside it, listening to her heartbeat slow down.
«Maybe you’re lost, Master? Maybe I just have to wait a little longer…» he whispered to himself, but each day brought less hope.
In the evening, he heard footsteps again. Quick, determined. The door opened. A woman in an old cloak stood on the threshold.
«Oh, my God…» she breathed, looking at his emaciated body. «Are you alone here?»
He stood up, not believing someone had come. But it wasn’t him. Not the one he’d been waiting for.
«What if… what if you can save me?» he thought, taking a cautious step toward her.
And for the first time in a long time, he saw warmth in her eyes.
She entered the house, looking around. Dust lay on the furniture, the windows were closed, the smell of stale air mingled with the faint scent of dog. He stood nearby, hesitating to get too close.
«You must be hungry…» the woman said quietly, taking a bag from her bag.
The rustling of the bag sounded like music. He remembered that sound—the way food had rustled when he was being fed in his past life. His paws trembled, but he approached. The woman set down the bowl, and he began to eat, not believing it was actually happening.
«I don’t want to seem greedy… but I haven’t eaten in so long…» he thought, chewing slowly, as if afraid the food would run out too quickly.
«Poor thing… you were abandoned, huh?» she said, stroking his neck.
He didn’t understand the words, but he understood the tone. It was a voice that held no malice. A voice that radiated concern.
She spent a little more time in the house, looking around. She realized that the owner had long since left. That this skinny dog was the only one left to guard this place.
«Come with me, okay?» she said, holding out her hand.
He looked at the door behind which he had waited for so long. Just a second ago, he had been ready to stay here again, in case… But something inside whispered, «The one you were waiting for will not return.»
He took a step. Then another. And stepped out the door.
The road was long. His paws sank into the mud, his body trembled from the cold, but she walked beside him. Occasionally, he caught her gaze out of the corner of his eye—warm, attentive, as if she were afraid to lose him, even for a moment.
The new house smelled of food and warmth. There was a soft carpet, a bowl of water, and another bowl of food, which he ate in small bites, savoring it.
That night, he lay down by her bed. She stroked his head:
«Sleep. Everything will be okay now.»
«If you only knew how I’ve been waiting for those words…» he thought, closing his eyes peacefully for the first time in a long time.
The next day, she took him to the vet. Her hands were cold and the smell of medication was palpable, but he endured. He knew it was necessary so he could run like he used to again.
A few weeks passed. His ribs no longer protruded, his fur had thickened a little, and his eyes began to sparkle. Sometimes he still approached the door, but now it wasn’t out of anticipation. Now he simply knew—behind that door would always be someone who would return.
And although he still didn’t understand why everything had vanished one day, he understood something else: sometimes fate takes some to bring those who will remain forever.
➕
