Jack, Stop Counting Crows! For several days now, Jack had refused to eat anything that Mildred off…

Charlie, dont be counting crows now!

It had been days since Charlie had turned his nose up at all the food Emma offered him.
Come on, darling, its the same sausages Tom used to buy you. He wont be here for a while Dont wait for him, Emma sighed, her hands thrown up in defeat.

It was a sight to see. At the long, faded yellow bus shelter, all the factory workers huddled together on one side, leaving the other end just for a scruffy, ginger mongrel with tatty fur, lounging like he owned the place.

Charlie was nearly four; he knew life like the back of his paw. Every day he hung around the bus stop outside the old factory dorms. Beyond them, just the plant and a crop field. Nothing much going onCharlie had seen it all before.

He couldnt even remember properly how he became Charlieit was what a couple of kindly young women from the dorms started calling him. Out of pity for his hard luck, theyd sneak him leftovers. Most folks kept away, though.

Charlie didnt give you sad puppy eyes, didnt wag his tail to beg for a stroke. He was all grumbles, like a little old man, always cross and a bit wild. Hed bark at people just for the sake of it.

As for peoplewell, what was really good to say about most of them? Nothing, really. Those two girls with sandwiches aside, Charlie figured the rest werent worth the trouble. He didnt care for people, didnt care for crows, and downright hated the little sparrows splashing in puddles.

The days of being a wide-eyed puppy, thinking everyone just wanted to give him a cuddle, were long gone for Charlie.

Honestly, if you asked him, people and crows made equally awful noise. Theyd start bickering at the stop, shuffle around, then shoo Charlie away like he was a nuisance. So why care for them?

The crows were worse still. Brazen thingstheyd steal the tiny scraps people left for Charlie. Hed chase them away, and theyd fly onto the roof to scold and plan their next raid.

That was a typical Charlie day: have a row with the crows, bark his head off at the commuters, guard the bus shelter as if it were a palace. Not exactly comfy, but it offered a bit of shelter from rain and wind, plus decent shade in summer. Only trouble was there were always too many people.

Oi, shift up, mate! someone grumbled, nudging Charlie with their boot. He lazily opened an eye. The boot was about to step over him, but Charlie, king of the shelter, wasnt about to allow that!

He shot up, and the boot hesitated just long enough for its owner to jump on the arriving bus and make a hasty exit. Charlie always found it unfair how people just hopped on the bus before he could get a proper word incountless local troublemakers had escaped that way. But this time, the boot itself was left behindjust lying there, abandoned.

Serves you right! Charlie thought, relishing the victory. He gave the boot a thorough chewing and dragged it as his trophy behind the rubbish bin.

Jess, leave that mad dog alone, a blonde woman chided her friend.
Vicious thing, that onecant do anything with him, a bloke with a cigarette added, flicking his fag-end, which barely missed Charlie. Charlie responded with loud barking, sending the man muttering off to the far end of the shelter.

***

The next day, Charlie spotted the boots owner againwith another man beside him.

Thats the one! The finger-waggler kept his distance, jabbing in Charlies direction. Thats the aggressive dog! Do something about him!

What can I do? the other man shrugged. Youre not the first to complain, but we havent got anyone in this town to round up stray dogs.

The owner began flapping his arms about and rattling on like a magpie, while Charlie kept an ear cocked. At last, the other fellow started bickering, too. Charlie watched, amused. People snarling at each other made for better entertainment than most crow fights.

The bloke with the boot couldve sworn he saw a smug little smirk on the dogs face, but shrugged it off.

I guard the dorms, not the bus stop! the security guard said as he strode off. Then, pausing, he looked back: Just throw him a bone, mate. Hell leave you alone if you keep him sweet.

Cheers! the boot owner shot back, sarcasm thick. Maybe I should bring him half my canteen lunch? And you you beast, whyre you just staring? Too lazy to bark this time, eh?

As if Charlie understood every word, he launched into a barking fit, shoving the man onto his bus even quicker than last time.

Charlie barked in triumph as the double-decker pulled away, the mans rosy scowl still pressed to the steamed-up glass.

The awkward truth was that the manactually called Tomhad just landed a spot as deputy manager at the plant. He barely knew anyone, and now every morning that fiendish mutt greeted him with thunderous barking at the bus stop because his car was in the garage. What had he ever done to upset this dog, anyway?

From then on, Charlie seemed to pick out Tom from the crowd every time, ignoring the rest just to bark at him.

Fed up with everyone at the factory giggling about it, Tom decided to give that security guards advice a go and bought a sausage from the works canteen on his way in.

Go on, eat up, he said, dropping it on the ground. Charlie was ready to bark him onto the bus again, but the smell was too tempting. The sausage vanished in a blink.

Got a taste for it, have you? Dont get used to itno wife to cook for me, and Im useless!” Tom grumbled as Charlie eyed him up for seconds. “And Im not nipping to the canteen every morning just so you dont eat me with your eyeballs!

***

The next morning, Tom was flummoxed.

Whats happened, Tom? Charlies not barking at you any more! Emma, the fresh-faced secretary, laughed.

Yeah, guess he respects me now, Tom replied, glancing sideways at Charlie.

From that day, the ginger stray grew used to his morning treata sausage, right on schedule with Tom.

Maybe people werent quite as foolish as Charlie thought. Maybe they werent all like those blinking crows fighting over shiny rubbish.

The days grew colder; winter was sneaking in. One morning the yellow bus shelter had turned white under a light dusting of snow and a frosty wind blew in from the field.

Tom, true to their new ritual, set down a hot sausage for Charlie, who was shivering. It was gone before youd blinked, leaving only its delicious scent on the tarmac. Tom gazed at the trembling dog.

Bus is here, Tom! called Emma, tugging at his sleeve, but he just waved her off.

He sighed and trudged back to the gates. Not long after, a black-gloved hand stroked Charlie gently.

Cold now, arent you, old chap? Tom murmured. Come on, lie on this bit of cardboard, itll be warmer. He propped up a cardboard slab by the wall, edible treat in hand. Heres another sausage for you.

***

Saturday, Tom was at home on the edge of town, where the flowerbeds outside his cottage lay thick under snow. The cold wind danced the flakes through the air. Tom fried up some eggs and sausage, ate breakfast, then went to clear the drive.

Soon, he found himself watching the swirling snow. With a grunt, he dropped the spade and dashed out the gate

There was hardly anyone at the bus stop. Charlie knew: sometimes whole days would pass with barely a soul. Hed have to run far to try his luck at the shops and terraced houses, in hopes of a scrap.

Charlie was about to venture from his little nest when a familiar bus stopped right in front.

Where do you think youre going? Planning to lose yourself in this blizzard? Tom greeted him with several packets of sausages, which Charlie devoured with gusto.

No sausages todaycanteens closed, Tom explained, almost embarrassed. Here, brought you this

Tom set down a big box lined with a battered, faded blanket.

Thats the best I could think ofgo on, in you go. Itll be cosier there.

Suddenly, the snow and biting wind melted away for Charlie, replaced with something warm and strange. Hed never been given such a gift before.

***

Charlie hadnt eaten for days, still refusing what Emma offered.

These are the sausages Tom brought you, sweetheart. Hes not coming for a bitgot a nasty flu Dont wait, Emma sighed, exasperated.

Every time the bus door swung open or someone stepped out the factory gates, Charlies ears pricked up. But no Tom.

Downcast, hed curl back up on his blanket. Outside, crows squabbled over some dried crusteach one trying to fly off with its prize. Charlie watched, tail thumping once.

Stupid birds. He had his own secret stash a hole behind the bin. He darted over, ignoring the crows.

He found the boot. Remembered how much hed hated it at first now, who knew what the feeling was? Picking it up, he wondered: where was Tom now? Charlie had heard other people call Tom his man Was that really true? Was he a real dog if, after finally having his own person, hed lost them?

He growled at the crows. Enough. He was done here.

Tom! Tom!

Charlies ears lifted hopefully as Emma chatted on her phone.

Signals bad just getting on the bus now. Got your papers to sign she said, settling in her seat, not noticing the ginger tail following her right onto the bus

***

Charlie, his boot tightly gripped in his jaws, watched Emma repeat Toms name again and again.

Emma rushed off the bus, scarf tight around her neck. Charlie slipped right after, tail wagging, boot still clamped between his teeth.

Snow always seemed so much more magical when youre padding through it, Charlie decided, listening to Emmas boots crunch and squeak.

Emma rang the bell at the little garden gate, and at once came a familiar voice. Charlie barked with all his might. Emma, whod barely noticed her shadow all journey, slipped on the iceher folder of papers flying into a snowdrift.

Tom, would you mind helping me up before hugging the dog? she teased.

Toms eyes were glassy as he bent to greet Charlie. Did you really come for me? Brought me a gift, too, eh? he laughed, half hugging the dog, half clutching the boot.

Emma was helped to her feet, made a big mug of tea.

Theres one thing I dont get, Tom, Emma said, watching Charlie curl up on the kitchen rug. Why didnt you bring him home sooner? Youve got a big enough place for a horse!

I was scared, Tom admitted. Ive been on my own ages, you know. Having a dogs responsibility, a bit like a family But not anymore, no chance Ill let him go now. Once Im back on my feet, Ill learn to cook sausages for him, I promise.

So we just had to storm the castle, eh? Emma grinned, shaking her head. Well, lucky for you Charlie came to claim his person.

Emma hid her smile behind her cup of tea.