Dog Starts Barking in the Middle of the Night and the Barking Grows Louder by Morning
It was just before four in the morning when a dog began barking behind the houses. By about five, the barking had grown louder and more insistent. People were stirring, grumbling as they got ready for work, the persistent noise putting everyone in a foul mood. By half past five, the first residents were leaving their homes and heading for their cars.
The earliest to brave the outside air were a man and a woman, probably husband and wife. Curious and slightly annoyed, they decided to find out what was making such a racket. They walked towards the row of garages and spotted the dog, a German Shepherd, barking non-stop, its snout pointed towards the back gardens. Behind the dog there was a man lying motionless on the ground. At once, they rushed to the scene, realising the dog was trying to draw attention to the man.
As they got closer, the dogs barking became even more urgent. He looked a right handfulstrong, alert, clearly not the sort youd risk patting on the head. The woman suggested calling an ambulance, and her husband promptly dialled 999.
The paramedics arrived quickly. As they stepped out of the ambulance, the woman warned them about the dog. Approaching the injured man, the paramedics watched the Shepherd carefully. Surprisingly, the dog stopped barking the moment they got near his owner, then sat quietly beside him, watching every movement.
The paramedics crouched down, always glancing at the dog out of the corner of their eyes. The injured man looked young, roughly thirty-five, and was bleeding heavily from his abdomen. The medics acted quickly to stabilise him, and the dog kept a close eye on every move they made.
By this time, a handful of neighbours had gathered, though none dared step beyond a safe distance.
One of the ambulance crew fetched a stretcher. They carefully lifted the injured fellow onto it, but the dog wasnt allowed inside the ambulance. As they set off towards the hospital, the Shepherd chased after the vehicle, sometimes lagging behind, sometimes catching up.
When the ambulance reached the hospital gates, it was ushered in by the security guard. The dog, panting and tired, stopped in front of the entrance.
Its the injured mans dog, explained the ambulance driver.
What am I supposed to do with it? grumbled the guard. Then he shouted at the dog, Stay! Sit! Good lad!
The Shepherd hesitated, but obeyed, sitting at the gate and watching the ambulance drive away. After an hour spent waiting, the dog settled down by the brick wall, out of everyones way.
At first, the security kept a wary eye on him, but it soon became clear hed not try to barge in, so they simply kept watch from a distance.
What do we do with him? one guard asked the other.
Leave him be. If he wants to wait, let him.
And if the owners gone a while?
Hes clever. Hell wander off if he gets bored.
Poor soul. Should we feed him? Maybe nip to the corner shop?
If you do, youll have him here every night, the other replied.
Still, the Shepherd eyed them, ears pricked.
Forty minutes later, one guard returned with news.
The chaps had surgery. Hes in intensive care but stable. Brought the dog something to eat.
He set a plate down with a sausage and a bowl of water beneath a tree. The dog watched him intently but wouldnt budge.
Go on, boy. Tuck in. You can have a drink too, the guard coaxed, recalling old commands.
Eventually, the dog rose and edged to the bowl, lapping up the water but still wary.
A week went by. The wounded man, now recovering in a ward, missed his loyal friend but had no idea how the dog was faring.
Theyd been inseparable since he left the army because of a war wound. Theyd both served, both made the transition back to civilian life together. He hoped his clever dog could cope in the meantime.
All the while, the Shepherd had created a home for himself under the big chestnut tree, ever watchful of the hospital gate. One of the guards had taken to feeding him and, after finishing his shift one day, went to see the man.
Good afternoon. Are you Mr Johnson, Thomas?
I am. Has something happened?
Im the hospital security officer. Your dogs still outside, waiting. Weve been feeding him, but he wont leave.
Thomas smiled, closing his eyes for a moment.
Thatll be Holly. Shes mine. We served together. Very smart, she is.
Weve noticed! the guard chuckled, relieved. Anything you want me to tell her?
Thomas tore off a bit of tissue, rubbed it on his hands and face, then handed it to the guard.
Take this. Give it to Holly. Shell understand.
The guard offered the tissue in a bag to the dog. Holly sniffed it for a long while, then took it beneath the tree and lay on it.
And so, Holly waited. When Thomas was finally well enough to leave hospital, their reunion was filled with joy. Theyd been through so much together, proving yet again that loyalty and patience are always worth it in the end.
I learnt that night just how deep the bond between a man and his dog runs, and how sometimes, you just need to wait and trust in loyalty and love.
Dog Starts Barking in the Middle of the Night and His Bark Grows Louder by Morning, Alerting Neighbours to a Man in Need and Proving the Unbreakable Bond Between a War Veteran and His Loyal German Shepherd
