Simon had journeyed out to the countryside to visit his aunt, Margaret, his mothers older sister. His mother, before she passed, had made him promise to keep an eye on her.
Aunt Margaret was a tiny old thing, her hair white as snow. Time and again, Simon had asked her to come live with him and his wife in the city, promising her a room of her own, a spot to stroll in the garden, and the company of other elderly ladies. Shed always refused; the thought of leaving her cottage broke her heart.
So every three months, Simon would arrange five days of unpaid leave from worktwo days spent on the journey, three days lending Aunt Margaret a hand with household chores. Thankfully, he managed his own department and his boss was an old friend, so brief breaks werent an issue. But this spring, work had overwhelmed him and he didnt make it down until late April.
Aunt Margaret had not weathered the winter well. Her neighbour Mrs. Martha, a sturdy woman with broad hands, told Simon that shed had to call an ambulance twice.
Why didnt you let me know? Simon demanded. You always said she was managing fine whenever I phoned.
She made me swear not to trouble you at work, Mrs. Martha replied. She said, Dont you dare tell himonly call when Im gone.’
Simon dutifully went to the village shop for the sugar and salt Aunt Margaret had asked for, along with porridge oats, tinned stew, and condensed milk. When he returned, a young shepherd pup sat beside the cottage steps, oversized head and a long muzzle, no more than five months old.
Aunt Margaret, where did you get a puppy?
He wandered in about a month ago. I opened the gate and there he was, shivering from the cold, all skin and bone. Ive been feeding him up. Took him in for a bit of company.
Simon ruffled the pups ears. It laid its head on his knee, trusting and warm. Hed always loved dogsdreamed of having one as a boybut his parents had never allowed it. Now, there was no room for a pet in his busy life. His wife, Jane, had adopted a cat once, but it disappeared after three years. Theyd never had children; Jane could not conceive, and together theyd made their peace, filling their time with travel and each other.
Whats your new friend called?
Archie. Thats what I used to call my old cat.
Simon laughed. Isnt it strange, giving a dog a cats name?
Does it matter? He answers to it, Aunt Margaret said with a shrug.
While Simon visited, Archie shadowed him everywhere. As he packed to leave, Simon asked Aunt Margaret to promise she would always let him know if she felt unwell. He vowed to come whenever she needed and insisted she call him for any medication, without hesitation.
Youve done more than enough already, Simon, always rushing back and forth for me. But I wont be here much longer.
Dont talk like that, Aunt Margaretlive as long as you can. Youre no burden.
Simon, will you do one last thing for me? If I pass, dont abandon Archie. He is a living soul, after all.
I wont leave him, Ill find him a home.
Please, Simon, take him yourself. Something tells me he turned up for a reason.
At that moment, Archie nudged Simons knees and looked up into his eyes.
Alright, Aunt Margaret. If it comes to that, Ill take Archie.
A month later, Aunt Margaret passed away. Simon laid her to rest and observed the traditional nine days with the neighbours. Afterwards, he took Archie to the churchyard to say goodbye.
When it was time to head back to the city, Simon brought along a new lead and muzzle. At the small village station, he bought two tickets for a carriage that allowed pets. Once in the compartment, Archie bristled at a man already seated by the window.
The man turned, eyes wide. Good Lord! They let wolves on trains now?
Mate, are you daft? Thats my dog, Archie.
Archie? Thats no dog, thats a proper wolf! Im a country lad, I know these animals. Ive hunted them.
Archie bared his teeth and growled again.
Get that beast out of here before I sort him out.
Listen, pal, keep your mouth shut and mind your own business if you value making it home alive. No ones bothered youso just sit tight.
No, Ill wait in the corridor, thank you very much. He hurried out.
Simon and Archie were alone at last. Simon looked down, half-smiling. Archie, are you really a wolf? The dog laid his head on Simons knee and wagged his tail. Well, alright, even if you areyoure brilliant.
The train conductor poked her head in. Is that a wolf or a shepherd you have there?
Did that fool bother you? Hes got a vivid imagination. This is a rare shepherd breedsearch dog, actually.
Oh, well then. Do you have his papers?
Of course, one moment. Simon fumbled in his pockets, then said with mock alarm, Archie, I left your papers at the ticket counter! You know, they wouldnt have sold me a ticket if I didnt have them, he told the conductor.
True enough, she nodded.
Truth be told, the young woman at the counter was Mrs. Marthas daughter and no documents had been asked for in the first place. The next morning, Simon took Archie to the local veterinary clinic.
The vet regarded Archie and asked, Are you from a circus?
No, why?
With that dog? He isnt pure shepherd. Thats part wolf.
Simon explained. Hes from the villagemy aunts. Shes passed, I promised to keep him.
The vet approached, inspecting Archie. Hes a hybrida wolfdog. One parents a proper German shepherd. Wolfdogs are calm, loyal, and steady. Nothing to fret about. Lets get him registered and make sure he has all his jabs, just in case.
Jane quickly grew fond of Archieshe bathed him, fed him, and took him on long walks. About ten months later, during the Christmas holidays, Jane took Archie for an early evening stroll. Restless after days indoors, they wandered to the nearby park.
As they meandered along the dusky path, Archie suddenly pricked up his ears and darted into the darkness. Jane called after him, her voice tight with worry, but he was gone for five minutes, seven, stretching into forever. When she was about to ring Simon in distress, Archie reappeared, dragging something wrapped in cloth in his jaws.
Jane ran towards himit was a newborn baby, alive and crying. Though she was a doctor herself, she lost no time and called an ambulance and the police.
To her astonishment, both arrived in no time. Because of the dog, Jane couldnt go with them. She hurried Archie home, grabbed Simon, and together they raced to the hospital. There, a nurse informed them that the baby was a month old, healthy, and a girl.
With her was a note: her name was Charlotte. The mother begged that she be given to a kind family. Jane asked to see the little girland when she gazed on her face, her heart was lost at once. She looked at Simon, unspoken hope in her eyes, and he nodded. Jane quietly told the duty nurse she was prepared to adopt Charlotte herself, hoping she wouldnt be sent elsewhere.
Two months later, Charlottethe little girl Archie had foundcame home to live with them. Just as Aunt Margaret had guessed, Archie had come to them for a reason.
