What a crazy idea, Mom? You really adopted a shelter dog?
Mom, what have you done? the daughter shouted almost into the phone. A rescue dog, and one thats old and sick? Youre insane! Couldnt you just get back to dancing?
Nadine Lefèvre stood by the window, watching snowflakes swirl and settle on rooftops and tree branches. That had become her daily ritual. Earlier shed waited for her husband to come home late, exhausted, his voice hoarse. The kitchen glowed with soft light, dinner sat on the table, and conversations were accompanied by a cup of tea
Gradually the topics ran dry; her husband returned even later. He avoided her gaze, his answers grew curt. One day
Nadine, I have to tell you I met another woman. We love each other and I want a divorce.
What? Divorce and what will become of me? Nadine felt a sharp ache beneath her shoulder blade.
Nadine, were adults. The kids are grown, they have their own lives. Weve been together almost thirty years. Yet were still relatively young. Look at usjust past fifty. I need something new, something fresh!
So Im just the past, obsolete, she whispered, lost.
Dont exaggerate. Youre not old but understand, I feel like a thirtyyearold. Forgive me, I want to be happy, he kissed the top of her head and left for the bathroom. He washed away the memories of their marriage while Nadine felt the universal weight of melancholy settle on her shoulders betrayal. What could be more bitter?
Time slipped by unnoticeddivorce finalized, her husband gone to a new life. Nadine fell into a gray routine. She had lived for her children, for him. Their problems were hers, their joys her successes. And now? She spent hours at the window, sometimes peering into a tiny pocket mirror inherited from her grandmother. In it she saw a sad gaze, a stray tear among budding wrinkles, a few silver strands at her temples.
She dreaded looking into the large mirror.
Mom, you should find something to do, her daughters brisk voice urged, clearly in a hurry.
What, dear? her mothers flat voice faded over the telephone wires.
I dont know. Read, dance for those who have, go to exhibitions.
Yes, yes, for those who have. I already have, Nadine couldnt pull herself together.
Oh, Mom, sorry, I dont have time.
Surprisingly, her son Louis understood his mothers sorrow better:
Mom, Im really sorry about what happened. Wed like to visit you with Isabelle, maybe for New Years. Youll see, itll make you happy.
Nadine loved her children, yet she realized how different they had become
—
One evening, scrolling through social media, Nadine stumbled on an announcement:
Openday at the dog shelter. Bring your kids, friends, family. Our animals will be delighted to meet new visitors! Well be at.
It added that volunteers needed blankets, old bedding, towels
She read the notice over and over.
Blankets, throws, old linens, towels. I have a stack to sort. I think I have enough to give, she murmured in the night.
Standing at the window, she wondered what she could still afford on her tight budget. Ten days later she stood at the shelters entrance, carrying gifts. A taxi driver helped unload bags of blankets and rags, pulling out a rolled rug, another blanket. Volunteers escorted visitors as they deposited bundles of fabric, bags of food, parcels for the dogs. Later, groups were assigned to tour the pens, learning each residents story behind those sorrowful cages
Exhausted, Nadine crawled home, legs feeling like jelly.
Shower, dinner, couch. Ill think about it later, she told herself.
But later never arrived. Images of people, cages, dogs kept looping in her mindespecially their eyes. Eyes she had seen in her tiny mirror: full of sorrow and distrust of happiness.
One particular dog left a deep impression: an elderly, greying Japanese Chin named Lady. Her previous owner had abandoned her at a very advanced age. Lady was already twelve; with good care she might live to fifteen, but she was frail, ill, and melancholy. No one wants them, a volunteer sighed before moving on.
Nadine lingered by Ladys pen. The dog did not react, lying on an old blanket like a lifeless toy. All week at work Nadine thought of the sad canine, and an unexpected surge of energy sprang up inside her.
Lady is my reflection. Im not that old, but Im alone. My children have left, my husband tossed me aside like a doormat. I am not a doormat!
Determined, she called the shelter.
Hello! I attended your open day. You told me about Lady, the old dog. Do you remember? she asked, hopeful.
Yes, of course. You were the only one who stopped by her enclosure.
May I see her again, please?
Lady? Wonderful! Of course, come this weekend, the volunteer replied.
That night Nadine stood at the window, no longer haunted by her past. She watched a man in his yard playing with a large dog, the animal darting around the empty courtyard, constantly returning a ball to its owner, who petted it affectionately. The weekend approached.
Hello, Lady! Nadine crouched near the dog, but it didnt stir. She sat on the floor in an old pair of jeans shed brought for the visit. After a while she began to speak, recounting her life, her children, the empty apartment she now inhabited. An hour passed. She gently placed her hand on Ladys head and sighed. Encouraged, she continued her measured gestures; Lady eventually rested her head in Nadines palm. A bond formed.
When she left, the dogs brown eyes met hers, seeming to ask: was this a onetime encounter or something more?
Wait for me, Ill be right back, she whispered, closing the pen before heading to the volunteer.
So, how did it go? she asked, smiling.
I I want to adopt her the volunteers emotion left Nadine breathless.
Just like that?
Yes. You mentioned theres little hope for such old ladies. I want to give her a chance.
Be warned, Lady is ill. Shell need constant care, time, energy, and money.
I understand. I raised two wonderful children; I think I can manage. Lets give her a chance, Nadine declared.
The volunteer prepared the paperwork, noting that the shelter monitors the lives of its protégés closelyphotos, video calls, vet appointmentsall to be reported.
A few hours later Nadine entered her apartment carrying Lady, wrapped in a towel, and set her down.
There you are, Lady. This is your new home. Well learn to live together.
She took a few days off to tend to Lady: veterinary visits, exams, treatments, nail trims, removal of diseased teeth. Lady behaved like a wellmannered pet. Nadine provided washable pads for any accidents and took her out early mornings and late evenings, avoiding neighbors so Lady could adjust without fear.
—
Mom, what did you do? Are you okay? the daughter shouted.
Yes, Im fine. Thanks for asking.
Mom, a shelter dog? Old and sick? Youre crazy! Couldnt you just go back to dancing?
Sweetheart, Im still young. Im fiftythree, healthy, pretty, independent. Thats not what I taught you! Nadine retorted.
But, Mom
No buts. You have your life; your brother Louis is far away too. Your father left me for a highschool girl. Respect my decisions.
Nadine hung up, sighed, and headed to the kitchen for coffee.
Mom, you amaze me! I never would have thought adopting a shelter dog is admirable. Do you think youll have the patience? her son said, astonished.
Louis, I raised you and your sister. I made it this far, Nadine laughed. Ill make it further. The shelter promised help if I need it.
She never told either child that she had met a man during nightly walksa man named Philippe, divorced, whose exwife had moved abroad with a new husband. He, too, had taken in a dog
And guess where that dog came from? Philippe had rescued Axel, a purebred large dog seized by animal control after wandering the city in panic. No former owners could be traced despite a tattoo. Philippe adopted Axel, adapting to his new reality.
—
Mom, can Isabelle and I visit you? I want to introduce her right away. Shes as wild as you! Louis joked.
Nadine laughed.
Come then, my son. Well be waiting.
On December31, when the doorbell rang, two dogs arrivedPhilippe and Axelto see Nadine and Lady. Her son, delighted by the lively group, exclaimed:
Mom, I wont wait until evening; Ill say it now. Heres Isabelle. I love her and soon youll be a grandmother. And we also want to adopt a shelter dog, maybe a little one first, since the baby is coming soon
That night no window seemed sadwishes, music, laughter filled the city and the world. Even the shelters dogs and cats, still without families, felt a joyous anticipation.
May we all be happy!
And to you, dear friends, a big salute and congratulations from my dear Filou. I hope he no longer remembers his past life in the shelter, because now he basks in joy and our love!
Wishing everyone lots of happiness!
What a Wacky Idea, Mum? A Tale of a Rescued Pup.
