In a quiet neighborhood, a young boy worked near a closed bicycle shop. He continually observed a scruffy dog entering the store each day, vanishing shortly thereafter. Curious about this mysterious dog, he decided to follow it one evening, leading him to an emotional revelation.
Chris, an 18-year-old who spent his days working at the marketplace, had encountered numerous stray animals. However, Ollie, a Shiba Inu, was distinctly unusual. This dog was not only friendly but also well-behaved and looked too cared for to be homeless.
Encountering Ollie for the first time, Chris found the dog focused on the shop’s large glass windows. His coworkers mentioned that Ollie belonged to the shop owner, who had mysteriously stopped coming to work weeks prior.
Each time Chris saw the poor dog, it tugged at his heartstrings. Being an animal lover, he was frustrated to see how someone could abandon their beloved pet. One day, just before heading to lunch at a café, he bent down and gently patted Ollie on the head while saying, “Hey, Ollie… Would you like a sandwich, buddy?”
From that moment onward, the curious canine bolted toward Chris every lunchtime, eagerly wagging his tail upon spotting Chris’ lunchbox. Instead of enjoying the snack, Ollie would snatch it and run off with the plate in his mouth.
Chris observed Ollie fleeing with his food each day, always returning to the same spot just before closing time, whichonly heightened his worries and curiosity. Initially, he assumed that Ollie might have a litter of puppies somewhere, carrying the food back to them. However, he soon realized that Ollie was a male dog, and this behavior didn’t align with his assumptions.
As each day passed, Chris noticed Ollie’s energy fading. The once-glossy coat of Ollie had dulled, and there appeared to be an underlying cause of despair affecting him. Chris speculated that it might relate to the abandonment he faced, although he had no certainty.
“Where does he take the food without eating even a bite?”
One lunchtime, Chris watched as Ollie wagged his tail, excited by the sight of a sandwich, only to dash off with it once more. This peculiar action deepened Chris’ concerns.
“If Ollie doesn’t have puppies and his owner has left him, where is he getting his food every day?” Chris pondered.
“Ollie, where are you headed?” Chris shouted as he chased after the dog. However, Ollie didn’t slow his pace or turn back; he simply disappeared beyond the market’s entrance, leaving Chris in a cloud of dust.
“Strange dog!” Chris muttered in confusion, shaking his head as he returned to his work, unable to shake off the thought of Ollie running off with his meal.
Various thoughts raced through Chris’ mind about where the dog might go each day, but he couldn’t find the answers.
When his shift ended and he stepped into the chilly night air to head home, Chris found Ollie sitting outside the closed bicycle shop. The dog, eyes fixed on the window, whined softly upon seeing Chris approach.
The sight of the lonely dog, who had grown dear to him over the past few days, filled Chris’ heart with emotion. Their bond was strengthening, and Chris realized that Ollie was more than just a stray.
Ollie represented a loyal and loving companion who had touched Chris’ heart, and the image of the sad dog left him deeply moved. It became clear to Chris that he needed to do something to assist his new friend.
Walking over to Ollie, he silently vowed to never let the poor animal feel lonely again. Kneeling down, he gently stroked Ollie’s head and whispered, “You’re not alone, buddy! I’m here for you.”
Driven by compassion and concern for Ollie, Chris faced the challenging decision to take the dog in. However, a small hurdle stood in his way. Chris lived in an apartment with his girlfriend, Mila, who was not fond of pets, especially dogs.
Chris knew that bringing a dog into their home would be a tricky situation, and his girlfriend would likely disapprove. But he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Ollie to fend for himself on the streets.
So, that evening, he quietly approached Ollie, offering him a cookie and attaching a leash to his collar. Ollie was frightened and attempted to pull away, but Chris calmed him down and guided him home.
With each step back home, Chris’ heart raced with a mix of joy and apprehension. He understood that Mila wouldn’t be thrilled with this new addition to their family. Yet, he believed firmly in his decision and was determined to find a way to convince her to let Ollie stay.
With every stride, Chris reassured himself that he would provide Ollie a safe haven. But his spirits dampened when he arrived home and met his girlfriend’s furious gaze. Mila was not just angry; she was visibly infuriated at the sight of Ollie peeking out from behind Chris’ legs, his big brown eyes radiating desperation.
“What’s this dog doing here?” Mila exclaimed, disgust evident in her tone as she stepped back.
“Get rid of it now,” she added.
“Baby, no one is taking care of him… and he means no harm, you know? Please, can’t we keep him? He was abandoned, and I found him in the market… Just look at him… he’s such a wonderful dog, and I’m certain you’ll grow to love him… just give him some time, please. He needs us…and he deserves a loving home. We have enough space in our apartment.”
Unfortunately, Mila’s annoyance made her stubborn and unwilling to listen further.
“Do you want to wake up every morning to his howling, Chris? Have you lost your mind? You can’t just bring any stray dog into our lives… This isn’t a shelter. We have our own problems, and we already have a lot on our plate. We can’t take him in,” Mila snapped at Chris.
“And I am not going to wake up every morning with a poop bag in my hand, expecting to scoop up fresh, warm mess, okay? And this dog is going to shed a lot… just look at his thick fur. You know I’m allergic to dogs…and I don’t want to risk getting bitten. I’m not bringing this dog home, end of story. Get him out of here before I leave!”