When the Dog Saw Its Owners, It Lowered Its Head, but Refused to Move: A Heartwarming Winter Tale …

The dog lowered his head when he saw his owners, but didn’t budge an inch.

It all started in December, when the first proper snow had quite convincingly carpeted the gardens and footpaths of our neighbourhood.
Rex, a large German Shepherd with a dignified sprinkling of grey on his muzzle, turned up out of nowhere one day by the second entrance. He seemed to have appeared straight from a cloud of frosty British fog.

Not that dog again, whining under the windows! grumbled Victor, yanking at the curtains. Jenny, are you deaf?

I hear him, Victor, his wife called back, undramatically.

Who could miss it? That mournful howl went straight through to your very bones.

Thered been a young coupleTom and Sophie from number twenty-threewhod moved in come September. Brought the dog with them. Every evening, Rex would wait by the door, leaping with joy, licking their hands. Solid as the Greenwich clock.

But after the first hard frost, everything changed.

Weve made up our minds, honestly. Its a nightmare, a dog in a one-bed. He sheds everywhere, and that smelldog. Plus, the neighbours moan about his barking. If you want him, take him. Hes purebred, all the papers, Sophie was saying on her mobile to a mate, right on the landing.

Her friend must have declined.

Jenny Smith figured that out when she noticed Rex had spent his fourth night sleeping in the drafty space between floors, curled on the icy concrete, shivering from damp.

So, what now? Victor wouldnt even listen to his wifes fretting. Weve got enough problems on our plate.

He was forty-five, with one heart attack behind him, making him grumpy and short with everyone. Including Jenny.

Hes not a stray, she said softly. “He has owners. The young couple in twenty-three.

Well, if hes got owners, let them take him back inside. If not, call Animal Control.

Easily said. But how do you explain to a dog hes been chucked out? That the ones he adored had betrayed their trust?

Next morning Jenny couldnt bear itshe went down to the freezing entryway, bringing a bit of sausage and bread. Rex lifted his heavy head and gave her such a thankful look. He didnt snatch, eithertook the food gently, with real manners.

Then, that evening, Jenny did something reckless.

What on earth are you doing?! Victor stood in the hall, red with outrage. Why have you dragged that mutt into the house?!

Rex cowered in the corner, sensing hed triggered a domestic drama. Ears flat, tail tuckedapology personified.

Just for tonight, Victor. The frosts bitterhell freeze if I dont.

One night? And tomorrow its just one more? And then last time, promise? Jenny, have you lost your marbles? We spend our last pennies on your pills as it is, and you bring in a freeloader!

She just stroked the trembling dogs head silently. What was left to say? Her husband was right, after all. Money was tight. His disability allowance was a pittance, and hers not much better.

And whos buying the dog food, may I ask? Victor wound himself up further. And paying for the vet? We can barely afford a check-up for ourselves!

Victor. Her voice was quiet but steely. Hes old. If hes out in this, hell never make it.

So let him go! Hundreds of dogs peg it every week. You planning on rescuing the lot?

Rex flinched at the shouting and tried to make himself even smaller. Jenny knelt beside him, hugging his thickbut sadly mattedfur. No one had brushed this dog in ages.

Not every dog, she muttered. Just this one.

For five days, they lived on a ticking bomb. Victor slammed doors with gusto, complained about every dog hair on the carpet, and demanded the freeloader be gone.

Rex seemed to sense the awkwardnesshe ate reluctantly, barely entered the main rooms, always with that apologetic look in his eyes.

And then, on Sunday, the owners arrived.

The knock was bold. Nearly aggressive.

What do you think youre playing at? Sophie was on the doorstep in a posh faux-fur coat, Tom beside her in a snazzy puffer jacket. Youve stolen our dog! Its theft!

Stolen? Jenny stammered. He was sleeping in the stairwell.

Hes our dog! Tom cut in. Weve got all the documents, passport, everything. And you just took him!

Hearing their voices, Rex padded out of the kitchen. His tail hesitatedshould he greet or hide?

Home, Rex! Now! Sophie commanded.

He sniffed her hand, then planted himself next to Jenny.

What is this madness? Tom snapped. Rex, come! Move!

Rex lowered his head but didnt budge an inch.

Sorry, Jenny tried, but he was sleeping on concrete every night. I thought

Well, dont think. Not your dog, not your business! Where our dog sleeps is up to us! Sophie seethed.

Out on icy concrete? the pensioner snapped.

Even on the balcony if we like! Hes ourswe do as we see fit!

Whats this all about? Victor appeared, clutching the Sunday paper, just back from winter duties watching over the garden allotments.

Your wife nicked our dog! Sophie burst out. We expect him returned right now, or were calling the police!

Jenny shrank inside. Heaven help her, all she needed was a run-in with the law. Victor was already worked up enough.

Jenny, lets just hand over the dog and be done with it, Victor sighed. Dont want all this police trouble.

But when he glanced at Rex, a flicker crossed his face. The dog stood loyally by his wife, eyes pleading.

Show me the papers, Victor said unexpectedly.

What? The owners blinked.

The documents. Pedigree. You said you have them.

Tom and Sophie exchanged looks.

We left them at home.

Well, bring them, and well talk, Victor said flatly.

Are you joking? Tom yelled. Thats our Rex!

If hes yours, whys he freezing in the stairwell?

None of your business!

On the contrary, Victor stepped forward, steel in his voice, if an animals suffering right under my nose, thats my business.

No ones suffering here! Sophies painted eyes went wide. Are you lot actually sane?

Not suffering? You chuck out an old dog in the cold and call that kindness? Victor strode closer again. Jenny was stunned; she hadnt seen him like this for years.

We didnt chuck him out! Tom protested. Its just temporary. Were doing renovations!

What, after three months of living there? Victor roared so loudly Rex jumped.

The couple squirmed. It was written all over their facesthey were caught.

Thats our personal business, Sophie said weakly.

So your personal business is tormenting a dog? Victors voice was rising. Right then. Take your dog, right now! Or dont come back at all!

Jenny gasped. She hadnt expected that. Victor had been insistent about getting rid of Rex!

Victor, seriously?

Quiet, Jen! He didnt take his eyes off the couple. Well? You taking him or not?

Of course we are! Sophie shifted to a commanding tone. Rex, march! Come on!

Rex looked at his old owners, then plopped down right there on the hallway floor. His eyes seemed to say, Not going anywhere.

Rex! Tom barked. Get up, now!

But Rex stayed put.

Whatve you done to him? Sophies voice was on the verge of hysteria. Turned him against us!

No one turned him, Jenny replied calmly. Its his choice.

What do you mean choice? Hes just a dog!

A dog who doesnt recognise you anymore, Victor shot back. And do you know why? Because dogs dont forgive betrayal.

What do you know about us? Sophie screeched. We loved him, fed him!

And then tossed him out like week-old leftovers, Victors face was thunderous. Your choice: either he goes home and stays there, or you get lost and dont come back!

And why on earth should we listen to you? Tom fumed.

Because if you dont, Im dialling the police for animal cruelty right now! Victor whipped out his mobile. Thats a criminal charge!

Youre bluffing!

Try me.

Rex lay quietly on the floor, panting fast. Jenny stood beside Victor, hardly recognising the man shed married. Was this really the same chap whod threatened to put the dog out hours ago?

Well think about it, Tom spat.

Think fast, Victor nodded. Let me know by tomorrow night. Otherwise, Rex stays here for good.

Youve no right!

And you had no right to stick him outside! Victor roared so loudly, the echo bounced through the stairwell.

From other flats, the neighbours started poking out their heads.

Whats going on? Auntie Maureen from the fifth poked her nose out.

These two were keeping their dog in the freezing stairwell, Victor announced, nodding at the couple.

I saw, I saw! Poor thing was trembling all night, confirmed old Mr Perkins from next door. Told my wife, What sort are they, eh?

Mrs Green from the fourth joined in, then the Johnsons from number one. There was soon quite a crowda bit like a public inquest.

Shame on you! Get a pet, take real care of it! Mr Perkins wagged his finger.

My hamsters better looked after! added Mrs Green.

The young couple were surrounded by wagging fingers and disapproving stares. Sophie looked ready to burst into tears, Tom was fuming so hard he could crack glass.

Enough! bellowed Victor. Decide. Take proper care and let him live indoors, or leave and never show your faces again.

What if we go to court? Sophie sobbed.

Go for it! Victor cut her off. Just be ready to explain to the judge why your dog spent two months suffering in a stairwell!

The neighbours all murmured approval. Jenny looked at Victor in awe. When had he become so strong? So sure of himself?

Fine! Tom suddenly shouted. Keep the dog, then! We dont want him!

They stormed out, slamming the door so hard the windows rattled.

Rex lifted his head, looked at the front door, and whined softly.

The neighbours drifted away, busy discussing what theyd just witnessed. All that was left was husband, wife, and a dog, who now, officially, belonged to them.

Rex got up and stepped over to Victor, gently nudging his hand.

So, mate? Victor crouched down and scratched behind his ear. Staying with us, are you?

Slowly but surely, Rexs tail started wagging. He was.

Victor, Jenny said softly, but you were dead against it.

I was. Im not now, he said, wiping his hands on his trousers. Jenny, today I realised something important, watching those two.

What did you realise?

Victor was quiet for a while. Then he sank into his armchair, Rex promptly settling at his feet.

I realised were a bit like them, you and me. Living side by side, but as if were strangers. Me with my aches, you with your chores. Like we hardly know each other.

Jenny felt a pang in her chest.

And I thoughtwhat if someone decided to chuck us out, like we didnt matter? He stroked Rexs head. Scared me, Jen. Really did.

Jenny perched on the arm of his chair.

Soare we keeping him? she asked in a whisper.

Were keeping him, Victor smiled for the first time in months. Lets be a proper family. Right, Rex?

The dog licked his cheek and rested his head in Victors lap.

A week later, the whole estate was talking: Victor from number two now walked a dog every morning, looking ten years younger and happier.

And the young couple? Moved out quietly, to another part of town. Perhaps feeling a bit ashamed.

Pity, really. Rex would have forgiven them.