Three O’Clock in the Morning and a Phone Call: How Saving a Stray German Shepherd with Mum’s Help Changed My Heart Forever

Mary Ellen wakes at three in the morning to the insistent buzzing of her old mobile phone on her bedside table.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, puzzled as to who might be calling at such an hour, she picks it up and sees her sons name glowing on the screen. Her heart instantly races. Hes calling.

Hello Jamie, whats happened?! Mary asks, her voice trembling with fear. Why are you ringing so late?

Mum, sorry to wake you. Its just, well, I was driving home from work Jamies words tumble out uncertainly, and then I dont know what to do

What happened, love? Speak up, dont keep me waiting! Youre not trying to give your mother a heart attack, are you?

Well, theres this well, shes lying in the road. I dont know what to do, Mum. First time Ive seen anything like this. Im a bit all over the place.

For a few seconds, theres only silence.

Wait Are you saying you hit someone with your car? Did you did you kill someone? Mary gasps, barely keeping hold of the phone as her hands shake.

No, not dead, I dont think, Jamie answers, and its not me who hit her. Someone else. And its not a person, anyway.

Not a person? Who then?

A dog a German shepherd, I think. Shes still breathing, but its bad. What should I do, Mum? There arent any all-night vets around here. Youve always had more of a way with animals than me.

Jamie looks down at the dog, still lying by the roadside, lit by his headlights. Her chest rises and falls slowly, each breath a struggle, eyes glassy with a sadness so human that Jamie feels a pang in his heart.

At least shes breathing Maybe theres hope, he thinks, pressing the phone closer to his ear.

*****

Three days earlier.

Mum, youre at it again? Havent you got anything better to do? Why do you keep bothering with all these cats? Jamie grumbles, popping into his mothers for a quick visit and finding her outside with the local strays. She never used to fuss so much over animals.

It had all started when Mary retired. Suddenly, a fierce devotion to stray cats blossomed. She fed them every day, no matter who was watching. Jamie couldnt make sense of it.

Hello, love, Mary straightens and waves. Didnt know you were coming. Id have made you something nice, she says.

Looks like youve given all your nice things to the cats, Jamie jokes dryly.

He genuinely doesnt understand why she spends her pension and time caring for animals. Shes already got four rescued cats at home, all adopted in under a year. Surely thats enough? But Mary carries on, feeding stray animals, giving her love to them as if its the most natural thing in the world.

She adores cats, cant ignore a hungry dog, even leaves food for the pigeons clustering by the bins.

The neighbours nicknamed her Mother Teresa behind her back.

It stings Jamie when he sees people gossip, pointing or smirking at his mum. A few even make circling gestures at their temples, suggesting shes a bit touched.

Let them think what they want, son, Mary tells him, not missing his discomfort at the neighbours laughter. There isnt enough kindness in the world, so Im trying to add just a bit more.

Mary gazes thoughtfully at the cats, hungrily diving into the food shes laid down.

Really, what do they get out there? Nothing. I want them to know someone cares, even just a little. Its awful to feel unwanted. You remember what your gran used to say?

But youve already got four cats, Mum. Isnt that enough? Jamie is genuinely surprised.

Its not about how many, love. Id take them all if I could, but my flats tiny, and my pension isnt much. I do what I can, but that doesnt mean I should ignore the rest. So I feed them. If people think Im mad, so be it. Setting a good example is worth it.

A good example?

Yes! Maybe someone else will see and start doing the same. Were responsible for the animals we tame. And as people, we should help those who cant help themselves. No one else is going to.

Jamie tries to understand, but its beyond him. He reckons itd be better if she helped homeless people, at least. But animals?

He doesnt mind the cats and dogs running about the estate; he just thinks its going too far.

But three days after that conversation, something happens that utterly changes Jamies feelings about animals.

That night, hes heading home from work well past midnight. Usually, hes home earlier, but theres a last-minute crisis at work, so he got held up.

Strangely, he doesnt mind. He hasnt driven through the city at night in ages.

Jamies always careful at the wheel, rarely speeding, but tonight, he lets loosethe roads are empty. But his joyride ends quickly.

He barely manages to brake in time when he spots the dog lying in the road.

He sits for a minute in stunned silence, gripping the steering wheel, knuckles white. The shock passes and Jamie jumps out, running to the dog.

One look is enough to tell him a cars hit herprobably another late-night speeder, maybe even someone drunk.

No sense in wondering now. Whats important is helping her. But how?

Hes clueless, panicked. Hes never had pets, never even kept a goldfish.

So he does the only thing he canhe rings his mum.

*****

Hello Jamie, whats happened?! Mary asks, terrified as she answers her phone at three in the morning. Why are you calling now?

Mum, sorry. I was just driving home and I dont know what to do Jamies voice is a mess of nerves.

What happened, love? she presses.

Shes here lying in the road. I dont know what to do. Any advice?

Flowers to silence.

Are you telling me youve run someone over? Killed them? Mary can hardly hold the phone, shaking hard.

No, I dont think so. And it wasnt me, and its not a person.

What then?

A dog looks like a German shepherd. Definitely a stray. Shes breathing, but its rough. What should I do, Mum? No all-night vets here. Where else could I go? Youve always had more sense with animals.

He glances again at the struggling dog, chest rising and falling in patches of light. The pain in her expression tugs at him.

At least shes alive It cant be all bad, he thinks, tightening his grip on the phone.

Mum, what now? Do you know any vets?

No friends who are vets, sadly. And youre right, no all-night surgeries here, and its risky trying to get her to one in another townyou might not make it in time. Bring the dog to me, Jamie.

To yours? Are you serious?

Of course. Why are you so surprised? Worried about what the neighbours will say again?

No Its just, youve got four cats in your flat. What about them? Wont they all kick off?

Theyre cats, not crocodiles, love. Theyll cope. Just get her in the car and bring her over, quickly now. Ill sort things out here and well do our best for her.

*****

Half an hour later, Jamie is lugging the dog up to Marys fourth-floor flat.

Everythings a messthe back seat is covered in mud and fur, Jamies clothes smudged with dirt and blood, but he doesnt care. All that matters is the dogs life.

Put her here, gently, Mary instructs, indicating the settee in the sitting room, covered with old sheets she hadnt quite thrown out.

Marys no vetnever even worked in an animal shelterbut years of taking her own strays to the surgery, watching everything, means shes picked up a few things that suddenly become useful.

Jamie, too, tries to help, searching on his smartphone for what to do. Unlike his mums ancient phone, his can tap into whatever he needs.

Between them, they finally stem the bleeding, and the dog breathes a little easier.

You wouldnt believe it, but even the cats get involved.

At first, theyre wary of this big, wounded newcomer. But soon, curiosity gets the better of them. They settle down next to her, each purring softly. The dog drifts off to sleepnot from blacking out, but real, restful sleep.

Its the best thing, because the pain fades for a few hours, soothed by the gentle chorus of cats, their healing paws pressed against her.

Mum, do you think shell be alright? Jamie asks quietly, stroking the dogs head.

Im sure she will, Mary smiles, worn out. The injuries arent too bad. You know, if this wonderful dog could awaken some compassion in you, then meeting her wasnt just an accident, was it?

I couldnt leave her out there, Mum, Jamie says softly. That wouldve been plain wrong.

Thats what Im saying, love. Three days ago you didnt get why I feed strays, and now here you are, up all night, worried sick over a dog. And I have a feeling you wont kick her back out, eitheram I right?

Probably not Jamie blushes, but inside, hes strangely pleased.

For the first time, he feels genuinely kind.

*****

At dawn, Jamie drives the dog to the vets. He queues outside with all the early risers, and as soon as people see him carrying the injured dog, they step aside without complaint. No need to ask. They just get it.

At that moment, Jamie truly understandstheres nothing wrong with loving and caring for animals. In fact, it brings out the best in people.

The vet gets the German shepherdwhom Jamie has started calling Ralphback on her feet. Now, every weekend, Jamie visits Mary and they walk together in the local park. Though together isnt the right word anymore.

Mary, Jamie, Ralph, and four cats all set outsometimes five, even six, as the rest of Marys strays have decided they like walks too. Nobody minds.

Neighbours peer through the curtains, muttering, some making the old loopy gesture. But now, Jamie couldnt care less.

Thank you, Ralph, for coming into his life the way you did. And thank you, Mum, for showing him how to do the right thing.

Thank you, too, to those strangers outside the vets. For their kindness. It was in that instant Jamie thoughtthe world really is a kinder place than hed believed.

And whatever anyone says, Jamie, like his mother, will keep helping whoever needs itcat, dog, or human.

Thats the story.