**Archibald Our Angel**
*”And I crowned thee Gave thee to none Loved thee as best I could And kissed thee Kissed thee Kissed thee”*
William soared on wings of love, speeding home in his cherished Jaguar to his beloved Emily after three long months working the oil rigs. The crisp stack of pounds in his inner pocket warmed himnot just the money, but the thought of her. The air smelled of spring, the breeze soft on his face as the radio hummed his favourite tune: *”And I crowned thee”*
Then he saw it. A dog. Struggling in the icy river near the old stone bridge, half-submerged, barely keeping its head above water. His heart clenched. *”Poor thing,”* he muttered, gripping the wheel. The song crooned on: *”Kissed thee Kissed thee”* Emilys face flashed in his mindher laughter, the way shed run to him when he walked in. He cursed under his breath, slammed the brakes, and turned the car around.
The water was knife-cold. William waded in, then swam, ice cutting his hands as he fought toward the doga massive, shivering creature, its golden coat matted with filth. The beast whimpered as William pushed him toward the bank, both of them gasping. The dog collapsed on solid ground, trembling violently, while Williams own limbs burned from the cold. He dressed quickly, teeth chattering.
The doga purebred Labrador, shockingly thinstared at him, unmoving, as if waiting.
“Blimey, mate. Youre no stray. Wheres your owner, eh?” The Lab only pressed closer, tail thumping weakly. William sighed. “Right. Youre coming home.”
The dog clambered into the backseat without hesitation, curling up like hed always belonged there.
Dusk fell as they neared Bristol. Traffic snarled aheada lorry had ploughed into two cars, sirens wailing, paramedics working frantically. Williams stomach twisted. He glanced back. The dog, now dry and warm, snored softly, paws twitching in sleep. A thought struck him: *If not for him, Id be in that mess.*
“Emily, love!” He swept her into his arms the moment she opened the door, spinning her, kissing her cheeks, her hair, her laughter. The Lab sat patiently, tail wagging, until she noticed him.
“Oh! Whos this?”
“Our angel,” William grinned. “Archibald. Archie for short.”
The dog*Archie*licked her outstretched hand, then, overwhelmed, bathed her whole face in slobbery affection.
And so he stayed. Archie the Hippo (for his size). Archie the Rascal (for the time he ate Williams best loafers). Archie the Menace (for terrorizing the neighbours cat). And Archie the Belovedtheir guardian, their joy.
They lived in a sturdy brick house in the city centre, left to them by Williams parents. Archie had a spacious kennel in the garden, though in winter, he curled on a worn-out mattress by the hearth. William still worked the rigsdecent jobs were scarce locallywhile Emily kept home. Only now, she wasnt alone. There was Archie. And the tiny swell of her belly she hadnt yet told him about.
Then came *that* evening.
Sticky with summer heat, the air hung heavy as Emily took Archie for a stroll. Shadows lengthened. Laughter and music echoed from the woodssome lads drinking, their voices sharp. Archie tensed, growling.
Two figures staggered toward her.
“Oi, sweetheart. Fancy a chat?” Beer and sweat clung to their breath. One grabbed her wrist.
Archie lunged, but the muzzle rendered him useless. Emily had only meant to follow the rules*he never bites*but now she sobbed, releasing his lead.
The knife flashed. Again. Again. Archie fell.
Williams phone rang as he pulled into the drive. Emilys voice was raw: *”The vetnow! Hes dying”*
Archie lay on the table, dwarfed by tubes and machines. Williams knees buckled. “Hold on, lad. *Please.*” He pressed a kiss to the dogs feverish nose.
A flicker. Archies eyes openedjust a sliverbut it was enough.
He lived. Five more years, in fact. Long enough to dote on baby Henry, to guard his family with the same devotion theyd shown him. When the end came, they buried him under the old oak. Henry, now four, wiped his tears and announced, *”We need another Archie. Hes sposed to be here.”*
Love works miracles. Ive seen it. So love fiercelyyour family, your friends, the creatures who cross your path. You never know wholl save you in the end. Maybe its a shivering dog in an icy river. Maybe its Gods own angel, watching over you in fur and wagging tail.
