Julie was sitting outside the block of flats. All the neighbours knew that the family from flat number 22 had gone away for a long time, and now a dog had taken up residence in the courtyard, determined to wait for their return.
This all happened in the early nineties, in a small provincial English town. One morning, in early June, there was a sudden screech of tyres outside the local bookshop. The shop assistants rushed to see what had happened, but by the time they made it outside, the street was almost deserted well, nearly.
Lying barely off the kerb was a dog. She whimpered softly and tried to get up, but her back legs just wouldnt move.
The bravest of the women, Vera or, as her friends called her, Vicky went straight over to her. She talked gently to the dog, stroking her face and back and trying to work out what was wrong.
So, whats going on, Vicky? asked Natasha and their manager, Mrs. Helen Victoria, who both hovered nearby, not daring to come closer themselves. No visible wounds, but the lifeless way her back legs dragged along said enough: it was something serious.
Girls, lets move her round the back, Vicky suggested. She might rally. We cant just leave her out here. Natasha glanced at Mrs. Helen, who thought for a moment and then agreed: Alright, well sort out something for her to lie on Can you manage? Ill manage, Vicky replied, figuring out the best way to pick up the dog.
She was a mongrel, medium-sized, with a bit of a collie look. Thin, filthy, collarless clearly a street dog.
All that day she lay quietly in the back room, and by evening, a little recovered, managed to drink some water and eat the food they gave her all without getting up. She couldnt really move at all.
The next morning, Vicky talked her dad into collecting the dog at lunchtime and driving her to the vet.
There was only a tiny vets surgery in town no equipment, not even an x-ray machine, so the vet couldnt be certain: Shes young, strong. If you look after her, shell probably live, he said, serious. But walking thats highly unlikely.
The drive home was silent. Vicky sat in the back, holding the dog close; her dad kept glancing back at them through the mirror, sighing. At dinner that night, he said, Vicky, try not to get too attached. And dont train her to follow you everywhere. Were moving in autumn, remember? She nodded, quiet: I remember, Dad.
They named the dog Julie. And so she stayed in the bookshops storeroom, a sort of honorary mascot. For two weeks she barely moved, but soon she started dragging herself out into the courtyard, her legs trailing behind.
What are we going to do with her? Shed be lost out on the street, and no ones really able to take her home, the assistants discussed. Lucky Mrs. Helen lets her stay here.
Julie didnt seem to mind her own troubles much. She slowly explored the yard, sniffed everything, did all the usual doggy things, then flopped back in her spot.
On weekends, the women took turns bringing her to their own homes for a break, but Vicky always opted out in a few months, her family was heading off to the Far East for two years because of her dads job. He was right: the closer she got, the harder it would be to leave.
But in her heart, Vicky already was attached. Ever since shed looked into those scared eyes out on the road. And Julie, for her part, watched Vicky in a way that was somehow warmer, more trusting.
Still, one weekend Vicky had no choice but to bring Julie home everyone else was busy. Just this once! she promised, meeting her dads strict gaze. Everyones off on trips, barbecues, the works We were heading to the allotment too, actually, her mums voice floated over from the kitchen.
Julie trotted right in after her, sensing somehow that mum was the one to win over. With those dragging legs and the most heartbreaking hungry eyes, in seconds mum was fussing: Poor thing Are you even feeding her at the shop, Vicky? Never mind, well take you with us to the allotment. Dads doing a barbecue, youll like it
Vicky shot her dad a meaningful look, but he just shook his head.
At the allotment, Julie was beside herself: meat scraps, the neighbours dog Ben, who welcomed her like an old friend. After they got back to the flat, she settled on Vickys rug as if shed lived there her whole life.
So, taking her back to the bookshop the next morning was a shock for Julie. She fretted all day, and when they let her into the yard at lunch, she just vanished.
The shop assistants called for her and searched all around, but Julie was nowhere to be found by closing time.
Vicky was distraught. She walked home on foot, calling for her at every step: Julie! Julie! Where are you? Come on!
And, as it turned out, she found her right by the front door of her block, barely alive, but sparkling with joy when she saw Vicky. She squealed, licked her hands, wiggled around so hard it almost looked like her tail was wagging.
There was no point taking her back to the shop she clearly knew where home was. And Vicky couldnt bear to shut her in any more.
So, what now? her dad asked, watching Julie happily lean against his daughters leg.
Im going to care for her, Dad. And I hope youll help.
A week later, Vickys summer holiday started, and after that she planned to resign from her job. She had just over two months before the big move, and she decided to spend it with Julie.
Her dad drove them to the city several times, where there was a proper animal clinic with an x-ray. The vets couldnt guarantee a result, but they agreed to do surgery so there was hope.
So, Vicky and Julie moved into the allotment shelter. Vicky cared for her round the clock: medicine, massages, exercises for her legs. It was like Julie was learning to walk all over again.
At first, it looked hopeless. But when her parents stopped by to visit, they noticed little improvements: Julies legs didnt drag helplessly anymore, even though they wobbled.
A month later, Julie was chasing Ben in her own clownish, loping way. Another month and she only had a slight limp left.
Vicky was thrilled for her, but her heart broke thinking of the looming goodbye. There wasnt much time now.
The neighbour who owned Ben offered, Leave her with me. Theyll be happier together and she knows the place, so she wont fret as much
On moving day, Vicky took Julie to the neighbours, to visit Ben. And by evening, the family was already on a train to London. Later, a flight to Newcastle, a transfer and soon they were in Middlesbrough.
Once theyd settled and unpacked, Vicky rang the neighbour and heard exactly what she was dreading.
That night, Julie had sensed something was wrong and spent hours digging under the fence. By morning, only Ben was in the garden. Realising she had to act fast, the neighbour drove to Vickys old block.
And there Julie was outside the door. She recognised the neighbour, but with a stubborn growl made it clear she wasnt leaving. The commotion drew the other residents everyone knew the family from flat 22 were away for ages. And now, there was a dog at the door, determined to wait.
As long as it took.
Now Vicky was phoning another neighbour Mrs. Olive Norman from flat 23. Olive kept her posted:
Your Julies sitting outside like a sentry! Wont let anyone near. Ive bumped into your allotment neighbour tried convincing her, even tempted her with sausages, but its no use!
Vicky tried to send Mrs. Norman money for dog food, but she wouldnt hear of it:
Goodness, love Everyones feeding her here! No need for money.
Winter came. The residents, including Mrs. Norman, often let Julie into the block so she could warm up. Julie would climb to the third floor the floor where flat 22 was and curl up on the mat outside the closed door. She seemed to understand perfectly: her people werent home. As soon as shed warmed up a bit, shed go straight back outside for her silent vigil.
Vicky kept in touch with her friends from the bookshop too. A couple of times, they stopped by, hoping to lure Julie away. She greeted them happily, accepted treats gratefully, but wouldnt budge.
Vicky was torn apart: she longed to drop everything and return home at once, but complicated circumstances (not least, money) kept her up north. Early nineties England wasnt exactly easy, and people made do as best they could.
She eventually managed to come back in June. Walking towards the building, Vicky spotted Julie immediately. The dog sat very still, ears pricked, but a slight tremble ran through her body: shed already recognised her owner and didnt dare believe she was real, in case she disappeared.
Then came hugs, tears, and a feeling of utter miracle. Vickys heart nearly burst and so did Julies, most likely.
The summer flew past in a blink. In August, her parents returned her dad had a months leave, but another assignment was coming up in September, for a whole year. Vicky pleaded with them to take Julie along. Her mum eyed her husband, who just frowned and sighed a lot. The trip would be hard even for people, let alone a dog, hardly used to travel and busy city centres.
You could feel the tension in the air. Julie sensed the mood perfectly, grew anxious, and barely left Vicky’s side. Then, one morning, her dad told his daughter to pack with the dog:
Come on, lets go sort her paperwork. She needs her jabs, or she cant travel by train or plane.
The local vet, after a few tins of biscuits, sorted Julies paperwork, back-dated a pet passport and marked her as fully vaccinated. There was no time for anything official now.
That evening, her dad made Julie a muzzle back then, getting proper dog kit was tricky. Julie, whod never worn anything like it, sat patiently through fittings, seeming to sense the importance of it all, pure pride and happiness shining from her eyes.
There you go youre coming with us, her dad declared, attaching the last strap. Just dont let us down, Julie
And she didnt. Not once did the family regret their choice. First was the train journey, then airports and layovers. Julie travelled with them on transport aircraft all over the North East, up to Scotland and even out to the Isles. A year later, they finally came back home.
Julie spent thirteen amazing, loving, truly happy years by their side and never left Vickys side, wherever life took her.
