It was 15 paws long. He knew it by heart. If he went around the tree, it was about half the length and somehow he got stuck once in a while. The cozy comfort of home was a mouldy damp old pillow in a rotten doghouse. A dirty plastic container gathered rain water. Food was tough to come by.
Far away, he kept her in sight, she lay down after smelling her week old faeces. It was her meal for the day. His nose longed to touch hers. Last time they were together, was over 3 years ago when they were brought here, to their forever home.
Lily and Hugo... No one called them anymore. They could hear their family go about their daily lives, but no one even cared to look their side. They had no idea what went wrong and why after one playful night they were brought to this corner of the garden and chained.
First few nights were difficult. They tried to reach out, break free, but it choked them. But there was food and cuddles every day. Mom made sure they had food, water, and shelter. But it started getting less frequent.
Their weak bodies couldn't keep trying to escape. They accepted 15 paws and the comfort of being able to see each other every day. Constant barks changed to whimpers and now to silence. It's as if they weren't there.
One sudden day after a night of heavy rain Hugo and Lily heard a happy sound, first time in years -- a long whistle, as if trying to call them. 15 paws. They didn't try to reach it. The sound kept getting louder, now with footsteps. It was the happiest sound they ever heard!
Lily lifted her head to see a man approach Hugo. There was food, fresh water, and head pats! Was it a dream? But the man soon took Hugo away and Lily was alone. After making one last attempt to free herself, she watched in horror as the man put Hugo in a car and close the door. Barks of panic didn't help... Hugo was gone.
After a few minutes the man came back - that whistle! If I follow him, I will be with Hugo again she thought. She didn't resist him taking her off the chain and putting a ribbon on her. She obliged being walked to the car. Hugo!
Lily and Hugo's noses met. Their weak tails expressed as much joy as possible from finally actually being together. They didn't care where they were going - they were together!
Now the whistle calls them every day to lots of love and food more than 15 paws away. This is their new home where they are finally free and happy.
Far away, he kept her in sight, she lay down after smelling her week old faeces. It was her meal for the day. His nose longed to touch hers. Last time they were together, was over 3 years ago when they were brought here, to their forever home.
Lily and Hugo... No one called them anymore. They could hear their family go about their daily lives, but no one even cared to look their side. They had no idea what went wrong and why after one playful night they were brought to this corner of the garden and chained.
First few nights were difficult. They tried to reach out, break free, but it choked them. But there was food and cuddles every day. Mom made sure they had food, water, and shelter. But it started getting less frequent.
Their weak bodies couldn't keep trying to escape. They accepted 15 paws and the comfort of being able to see each other every day. Constant barks changed to whimpers and now to silence. It's as if they weren't there.
One sudden day after a night of heavy rain Hugo and Lily heard a happy sound, first time in years -- a long whistle, as if trying to call them. 15 paws. They didn't try to reach it. The sound kept getting louder, now with footsteps. It was the happiest sound they ever heard!
Lily lifted her head to see a man approach Hugo. There was food, fresh water, and head pats! Was it a dream? But the man soon took Hugo away and Lily was alone. After making one last attempt to free herself, she watched in horror as the man put Hugo in a car and close the door. Barks of panic didn't help... Hugo was gone.
After a few minutes the man came back - that whistle! If I follow him, I will be with Hugo again she thought. She didn't resist him taking her off the chain and putting a ribbon on her. She obliged being walked to the car. Hugo!
Lily and Hugo's noses met. Their weak tails expressed as much joy as possible from finally actually being together. They didn't care where they were going - they were together!
Now the whistle calls them every day to lots of love and food more than 15 paws away. This is their new home where they are finally free and happy.
