Residents of the dacha village urgently contacted the animal shelter, requesting immediate assistance for a weak dog who they believed had only a few hours to live.
This dog was a familiar presence among the residents, residing in the vacation village throughout the year and often approaching people. It was assumed that the dog had previous owners, possibly serving as a guard for one of the properties, and was eventually abandoned. It was unclear when the dog first appeared or what it had been through.
The dog remained calm and never caused any trouble for the villagers. It was often seen scavenging for food around the junkyard, seemingly fending for itself. The villagers didn’t drive it away or mistreat it, but no one took the initiative to care for it or even feed it occasionally.
Being a long-time resident, the dog was quite old. When the villagers noticed it lying motionless with a turned-out paw and flies buzzing around, they assumed it had passed away. However, the dog proved them wrong by opening its eyes and showing signs of life.
No one wanted to lend a helping hand to the dog, until one compassionate woman decided to call the animal shelter for assistance.
A few hours later, volunteers arrived, but the dog bared its teeth in fear and weakness. It had lost trust in people due to their previous indifference.
The dog’s condition remained critical for several days, but gradually, it started to recover. It was transferred from the clinic to a shelter.
Initially, the dog kept its distance from other animals and humans, choosing to eat and spend time alone. Volunteers respected its need for solitude, believing that the dog would never adapt to a new life at such an old age.
One evening, as Hans, as the dog was named at the shelter, was preparing to sleep, a volunteer who hadn’t been there for a while arrived. She hadn’t had the chance to meet the newcomer.
“Who do we have here? Let’s get to know each other,” the girl said, approaching Hans gently.
Confused and accustomed to volunteers keeping their distance, Hans couldn’t comprehend the girl’s intentions. He didn’t snarl or bare his teeth but appeared cautious.
The girl began to stroke the dog, and with each touch, Hans gained more confidence and became friendlier. It was a profound revelation for an aging dog that humans could bring both pain and joy.
From that moment on, Hans never left the girl’s side, continuously seeking love and affection. For him, the touch of a caring hand became more valuable than food or sleep.
