Making a new friend

I started my morning walk, somewhere around the end of May. Instead of frequenting familiar places, I thought of exploring. It was in this new path that I met her.
I could tell that she was pregnant. I went up to her cautiously, for pregnant dogs can get quite angry even when slightly provoked. But she didn’t stir even when I stroked her gently. I could see that she was unhealthy; patches of fur had fallen off her back and, she looked thin for a pregnant dog. My heart went out to her and I rushed to a nearby store; got some milk, biscuits, and a bowl. I broke the biscuits into eatable pieces and doused them with milk and she stood up eagerly and started lapping up the contents of the bowl. I waited till she had finished and looked at me, with those brown, watery eyes. She didn’t say a word but those eyes told me how grateful she was.
The next day, she was waiting for me at the entrance of the street and I smiled. I placed the treats on the road, this time some meat. She gobbled them up and stayed with me, till I left her street. This happened for a few days, I’d feed her, she’d stay by my side, and then, we’d wave goodbye only to meet the next day.
One day, it was raining but I didn’t want her to miss me. So, wearing a raincoat and jumping over puddles, I reached her street. But she wasn’t to be seen. I called her till my throat grew scratchy. Maybe, she was sheltered somewhere else against the rain. I went back home, feeling worried and uneasy
The next day, I met an old construction worker on the street. I asked him if he had seen any pregnant dogs around here.
He looked at me and said “She gave birth yesterday. There were seven, two died soon after, and unfortunately, she died too. Seems like she was too weak.”
I could feel the tears blurring my eyes and thanking him, I started moving, with nowhere in mind. He called to me, “Hey, the litter is under that unfinished staircase.”
I nodded my head and went over to where he pointed and when I bent down, I saw five, very very tiny puppies with closed eyes and shivering bodies. They looked too fragile, so I dared not touch them. Even though I was crying and there was a deep gnawing at my chest, I smiled. I thought about her again and looked at them.
“Don’t worry, I’ll look after them for you.” I whispered, under my breath.

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