Choose: its either me or that dog! Im sick of the house stinking of mutt! shouted her husband. She chose him, took the dog to the woods That evening he told her he was leaving for another woman.
Emily loved her husband, Richard, with all her heart. Theyd been together for five years. They had no children yet, but there was Maxa loyal old Labrador that Emily had found as a puppy, long before she knew Richard.
Max was family. Bright and faithful, he seemed to know whatever Emily felt. But age had crept up on him: his legs ached; he carried a musky, old-dog smell and his fur shed everywhere.
Richard put up with it for a long time. But when Max couldnt hold his bladder and left a puddle on the new wood flooring, Richard lost his patience.
Thats it! Im done! Richard bellowed, shoving the old dogs nose near the mess. This place is a kennel! Stinks of dog, hair in my dinner, and now this! Emily, you decide: its me or that decrepit mutt!
But Richard where would I take him? Hes twelve years old Emily sobbed, hugging her confused pet.
To a shelter then! Take him to the woods! Have him put to sleep! I dont care! he snapped. If hes still here tonight, Ill be gone. I want a clean house, not to clear up after your flea-ridden child!
Emily was never very strong. The thought of being alone terrified her. She feared losing Richard, who provided for the family, who shed planned holidays and a mortgage with.
She chose her husband.
She drove Max far out of town. The poor old dog, whining from aching joints, struggled into the car, but still licked her hand. He thought they were going for a walk.
Emily cried all the way.
She stopped in a copse, some fifteen miles from the city. She tied Maxs lead to a tree, so he couldnt chase after her.
Im sorry, Max Im so sorry she whispered, unable to look into those cloudy, trusting eyes.
Max didnt pull or bark at her. He simply sat down and watched her drive away. He understood.
Emily left a bowl of food, got back in the car and drove off. Through her tears, she glimpsed Max in the mirrorforgetting his sore legs, he tried to run after her, barking hoarsely, desperately pulling on the lead.
She heard that desperate bark in her head all the way home.
Emily returned home broken, her eyes red and swollen.
Richard was there. He was packing.
Wh-whats going on? she stammered. Hes gone. I did what you said. I took Max away
Richard threw her a cold, twisted smile.
Well done. Quick work. But you know what Im going anyway.
Going? Where?
To Helens. You know her, from accounts. Weve been seeing each other half a year. Shes pregnant.
Emily collapsed on a chair, her world spinning.
But you gave me an ultimatum the dog or you Why?
I was testing you, he said without a shred of feeling. To see if you had any backbone. Thought maybe youd finally stand up for yourself. But you you betrayed your oldest friend for a pair of trousers. Honestly, it frightens me. If you could dump a dog who loved you for ten years, youd throw a sick man out like rubbish.
He closed his suitcase.
Goodbye, Emily. And for what its worth Max was the only real man in this house. And you youre just a traitor.
When the door slammed shut, Emily finally howled.
She understood what shed done. For a man who never truly loved her, she had broken the soul of the one who worshipped her.
She grabbed her car keys and raced back into the night.
By then, it was pouring with rain.
She reached the woods. The lead was chewed through. The bowl was tipped over. Max was nowhere.
Max! Max! My boy! she cried, stumbling through the wet undergrowth, branches scratching her skin.
She searched for days. She pinned up posters, messaged every rescue she could find, and barely ate or slept.
On the fourth day, someone called her.
Are you looking for a Labrador? Someone found one on the bypass. Hit by a lorry.
Emily went to identify him.
It was Max.
It looked like hed chewed his way free and tried to run home. On tired, painful legs, through fear and agonyhed run to find the one person who had left him behind. He died on the roadside, waiting for her.
Emily buried Max.
Two years have gone by.
She lives alone. She never remarriedshe cant trust other people, not even herself.
Richard lives happily with his new wife and child. Hes forgotten Emily. For him, it had merely been a testa convenient excuse to leave while making Emily carry the blame.
As for Emily she now volunteers at a shelter for older dogs. She scrubs their kennels, cleans up their messes, tends to their ailmentstrying, in vain, to atone.
Every night she dreams the same dream: she stands by the tree, and Max stares at her. She calls, but he doesnt come. He just looks at her. Not in anger. Just with endless, aching sorrow.
And in that gaze, she sees her own judgement.
Moral: Betrayal leaves a stain that cannot be easily washed away. Never sacrifice loyal friends for those who force you to choosesomeone who loves you would never demand it. If they do, theyve already betrayed you, and nothing good ever comes from turning your back on true devotion.
