Mom, Dad was right when he said somethings off with your mind! I can see now that youre not normal. Never tried getting treatment?
Antonina Petrivna stared at her son, surprised. Hed always been a difficult child, but to speak to his own mother so bluntly
She could never have imagined shed end up separating from her husband after twentyfive years of marriage. Yet she was the one who initiated the divorce.
One day Antonina suddenly realized she barely knew him at all. After so many years youd think you could read a person inside out, but reality proved otherwiseDmytro turned out to be a coldhearted man.
When Antonina rescued a tiny, emaciated puppy from the streetso thin you could count every rib and boneDmytro erupted in a fit of anger.
Tonya, what are you doing, have you run out of things to do? he shouted through the whole apartment. Why did you bring that wretch in here?
Dimo, what are you saying Antonina replied, genuinely baffled. Look at it. Its like a skeleton, just skin and bones. How can you just ignore it?
Everyone else gets by, but you cant? Mother Teresa or what? You think youre the most serious among us, right?
That evening Antonina wept for hourspartly for the helpless puppy barely standing on its legs, partly because her husband revealed a side of himself shed never seen.
Shed never considered Dmytro perfect, but she tried to overlook his flaws, convinced herself that flawless people simply dont exist.
Then Dmytro crossed a line he shouldnt have.
How could you? Antonina sobbed. Isnt it hard enough just to be a human being? How could you walk past that puppy and do nothing to help?
The argument escalated. He made it clear the wretched animal was getting on his nerves.
When are you going to get rid of it? How long must we tolerate that mangy creature in the house?
He called the puppy mangy because it was skinny and trembled constantly, even though the flat was warm.
Instead of helping his wife get the pup on its feet and finding a decent home, he retreated to the garage to hang out with his friendsother statues who had fled their own homes because of their wives.
Hed come home late, smelling of alcohol, and resume his complaints about his wifes burden.
I can understand you dont like animals, Antonina thought, seated in the living room. But do you really not care about me? Cant you see how hard this is for me?
It wasnt easy for Antonina. She often had to ask for time off work to take the puppy to the vet or simply walk it. She also feared leaving it alone with Dmytro. After so many years, she barely recognized the man he had become, especially as he turned to alcohol.
One day at work she felt a strange heaviness, as if an invisible hand squeezed her heart and her soul ached. She claimed sick again, rushed home early, and caught Dmytro in the act.
He was carrying the puppy toward the garage, apparently planning to get rid of it forever. She couldnt forgive that, so she filed for divorce.
Over a dog? Dmytro shouted, flailing his arms. Youve lost your mind in old age!
Antonina ignored his outburst. She didnt consider herself old or insane; she just realized she could no longer live with him.
They still had an adult son, who lived with his girlfriend in another city. He oddly sided with his father:
Mom, are you okay? Can you really ruin a family over some dog?
Theres no family left, dear Antonina sighed heavily. Im not divorcing because of the dog, but because your father has lost his humanity.
You may not care for animals, but you shouldnt cause them pain. A decent person, let alone a husband, would never act like that!
Her explanation didnt sway him, and he stopped speaking to her, claiming it was his father who had lost his human shape by abandoning his roof. Since the apartment belonged to Antonina from the marriage, Dmytro couldnt claim half the property.
He still owned a house in the village, but he rarely visited; whether it still stood was uncertain, and Antonina didnt care.
Dmytro had made his choice; no one forced him to become a heartless monster. He might have done terrible things to the puppy had Antonina not intervened in time.
In the end, Antonina kept the puppyBimand helped it recover, giving it a chance at a normal life and restoring its trust in people.
Initially she planned to find a good home for him, but she ended up keeping him.
If I took you in, Im now responsible for you, she told the little fluffball.
Woof! Bim wagged his tail joyfully. He certainly didnt want to part from her.
A while later, as Bim grew, Antonina started spending her free time at the local animal shelter, helping the creatures people had abandonedpeople much like her exhusband.
Were tight on money right now, the shelter manager, Tonya, confessed, we cant even pay staff.
Even if we scrape together a few pennies, its barely enough. I dont know if those conditions work for you
Dont worry, Antonina replied. Im here for the cause, not the cash.
She began visiting the shelter several times a week with Bim. There she met another dog through Bims owner. The animal spent most of its time in a pen beside an older dog named Burkun.
The staff called him Burkun because he often growled when someone tried to lift him for a walk. Antonina had seen him before and even cleaned his pen, but this time she noticed his sad eyes, empty of trusteyes like Bims once had.
She sat beside him, stroked his head, and hugged him, hoping to spark even a tiny flicker of joy. Though none appeared at first, she kept spending time with him.
A staff member eventually told her Burkuns tragic story:
We found him about three years ago, wandering the streets, looking for his owner. Hed been tied to a lamppost once, left there while his owner drove off, assuming the dog would wait. He never returned.
They untied him, and hes been roaming ever since, searching for the person who abandoned him. Thats why hes so sad.
No one wanted to adopt him, even the man who briefly took him. He called us, saying he wanted a normal dog, not this vegetable.
Three years have passed, and no one claimed him. Old dogs often end up like this.
No! Antonina decided. Ill find him a good home.
She posted Burkuns photos everywhere, hoping someone would adopt him.
Is that a beagle? a woman called one day. Ive always wanted that breed.
Its a beagle, though not purebred, Antonina answered. It doesnt matter; hes a wonderful dog despite his age.
Hes only sad because his beloved human betrayed him, but Im sure love can melt the ice in his heart and bring back his joy.
The woman agreed to take Burkun, and he soon moved to a new home.
Good luck, Antonina said, wiping tears. May everything be good for you.
Burkun didnt bark or wag his tail; he simply gave a melancholy look, already accustomed to her.
Later, while Antonina and Bim were at the shelter, Burkuns new owner called, asking if she could temporarily take the dog back because they were traveling to the sea with their children and had no one to watch him.
We have no space right now, Antonina admitted, the shelter is full.
What should I do? I cant leave for the vacation; I promised my kids.
Let me look after him while youre away, Antonina offered. How long? Two weeks?
Two weeks
Perfect!
When Burkun was brought back for temporary care, he looked gaunt, as if fed once a week.
Whats wrong with him? Antonina asked his owner. Did you stop feeding him?
I fed him, but he refused to eat. I never forced him; you cant force a dog.
That same day the owner left for the sea, and Antonina took Bim and Burkun to the vet. He indeed had serious health issues that required treatment.
She called the woman, explained everything, and asked for a bit of money for the medication.
I have no money right now! the owner replied. And you never told me the dog was ill.
He wasnt ill when you took him, Antonina protested.
So youre saying I made him sick? Fine, keep the dog. I dont need him. And dont call me again.
Antonina hadnt expected this turn of events; she thought shed just watch over Burkun for a short time.
Now she faced the reality of caring for two dogsphysically and financially challenging, especially as she was about to retire next year.
But when she looked into Burkuns eyes, she realized she couldnt hand him over again.
How many times has he been abandoned? How much more must this poor creature suffer?
When Burkun understood no one intended to rehome him, his eyes finally brightened with a small, growing spark of happiness, despite his failing sight and trembling paws from arthritic joints.
That meant she had done the right thing. It had been hard at first, but she eventually embraced the role and became the happiest person alive.
Even after the divorce and her sons coldnesshe did visit once, hoping to discuss his father and perhaps coax his mother back homehe was stunned to see two dogs in the apartment.
Mom, Dad was right; somethings wrong with your head! I see now youre crazy. Never tried therapy?
Antonina stared at him, shocked. Hed always been a difficult boy, but to speak to his mother so bluntly
What are you saying, you fool?
Im telling the truth! You couldnt handle one dog, so you got another starving one? No sense!
Yes, I decided to because no one else would help them! I wouldnt let your father back in, even if I had no dogs.
So live alone now!
He slammed the door and left. Antonina whispered after him:
Im not alone, son. My loyal friends are with me, and unlike some, theyll never leave, betray, or hurt me.
Tonya, if its hard for you, we can take Burkun back and find him a town, the shelter director said after hearing the dogs story.
Thank you, but Ill keep him. I wont let anyone abandon him again. Let him live out his days in peace.
Thats the tale. Those who love animals will understand Antonina; others may judge her for breaking up a family. What do you think of the husbands and sons actions? Share your thoughts in the comments and like if you agree.
Mum, Dad Was Right When He Said There’s Something Odd About You! I Can See It Now – Have You Ever Considered Getting Help? – The Son Confesses
