Egor brought his cat to the vet clinic for a vaccination. They had been waiting almost half an hour for their turn because, unfortunately, there were many people at the appointment today. Nearby sat a woman with a British Shorthair in a carrier. The British cat was quiet, it seemed like he wasn’t even there—he behaved so unobtrusively.
“What’s wrong with him?” Egor asked.
“He injured his paw,” the woman replied.
“Well, that’s fixable,” Egor sighed and looked again toward the corner of the room, where a dog was curled up on the floor with sad eyes. The dog hardly moved, although his owner, a large man with a red face, had taken the leash off him. Only the dog’s eyes said something — something Egor couldn’t understand but could feel.
He turned repeatedly toward the dog, but nothing changed there. Stillness and some kind of hopelessness. That’s it! Hopelessness! Suddenly, this word came to Egor’s mind.
Then it was their turn. Egor took his Marsik and resolutely entered the room. While Mars was getting a shot, Egor looked around the walls of the office. Various posters about animal treatment and care hung there.
“Is he still sitting there?” the doctor’s voice suddenly asked.
“Who?” Egor was surprised.
“Well, the one with the dog for euthanasia.”
“What do you mean, euthanasia? That sad dog in the corner is here to be put down?”
“Yes. He’s come twice now. The first time, we talked him out of it with difficulty. He managed to hold on for a week, then came again. He says he doesn’t have time to take care of the dog, works a lot. But the dog is still young. He just grew big, but he’s only four years old. It’s a shame for the dog… But the owner is stubborn as a ram and has been sitting here since morning. Waiting…”
Egor instantly felt hot, as if a blast of hot air hit him. So that’s why this word—hopelessness—came to mind! The dog feels why he was brought here and has simply resigned himself to his fate. Lying there and waiting. Not even moving.
“Here’s your cat, take him. We’ll see you next time, don’t forget, Mars still needs another vaccination.”
“Yes, okay, thanks, I won’t forget,” Egor mumbled, stuffing Marsik into the carrier. Mars shuffled a bit there and lay down, curled up as usual.
Egor rushed out of the room and went straight to the red-faced man.
“Give him to me!”
“Who?” the man didn’t understand.
“Your dog. You don’t need him anyway!”
At that moment, the dog, who had been completely motionless until then, lifted his head and slightly wagged his tail…
“Take him, have him…” the man muttered and hastily handed Egor the leash, quickly leaving the room. As if afraid Egor would change his mind.
“What’s his name?” Egor shouted after him through the half-open door.
“Jack!” the man called back and quickly walked away.
At that moment, the dog stood up on his paws, and his eyes shone with some crazy glimmer of hope. Because he understood everything. It seemed like he was saying, “Is it true? Am I not imagining it? You’ll take me? You won’t leave me here alone?”
Egor put the carrier on the floor and hugged the dog’s neck:
“Well, Jack, we’ll live, won’t die. Now let’s go home, I’ll introduce you to someone… Just don’t hurt Marsik, he’s kind. You guys urgently need to become friends, or else we’re stuck…”
Jack was silent, just nudging Egor’s cheek with his wet nose. Egor stood up, wiped his eyes with his palm, and clipped the leash to the collar.
“Let’s go home, guys. We’ve stayed too long today. Marina’s waiting for us, and we’re just hanging out here. Don’t be afraid, Jack, she’s nice. Don’t even think otherwise. Now everything will be as it should. I promise you that!”
And they walked down the street. A man with a carrier in his hand and a big shaggy dog named Jack.
I still see them sometimes on walks. Only the cat waits for them at home, and the three of them walk together. Egor, Jack, and Marina. Jack has grown a little or gained some weight, it’s hard to tell, his fur is too thick and glossy.
But now his eyes are completely happy. Because happiness exists in the world. Happiness is when your Person is next to you. Or better yet, two of your people.
