A Good Match

An unexpected surprise

“Aw, I loved him so much.” Not for the first time that week, Sharon’s care-worn eyes filled with tears.

Every day it was getting a little bit easier. Twelve years of love and loyalty had most certainly left their mark. Sharon used to roll her eyes at the constant clattering of his claws on the conservatory floor. They used to joke that he liked the sound of himself running about on it! And the thumping down the stairs whenever any member of the household entered the kitchen. The grumpy welcome that greeted any guest in case they were a burglar.

Sharon trekked around (what felt like) an eerily empty house, even with Frank downstairs. What would she have given to hear even the most annoying of Ollie’s many noises, even the piercing shriek that was saved for when he was very excited?

Since Carly and Ashley had both flown the nest, Ollie had been such a comfort. Frank worked long shifts and often worked away, but with Ollie around Sharon had never felt alone. With no grandchildren on the horizon as of yet, she had devoted all her love on Ollie as he had become both the child and grand-child in one.

“This moping about has got to stop,” thought Sharon. As the weeks passed, buckets and buckets had been wept. Now, at least she could remember the happy memories fondly. It was a progression. Last week she couldn’t think about him without bursting into fresh sobs.

“Sharon, come and look at this!”

A week ago, Sharon would have refused. Every day, though, it was getting easier. While she would never get over the loss of Ollie, she was feeling ready to expand her heart again.

She joined Frank who had become quite the silver surfer thanks to their children. Even signing up to Facebook, which is how they had first got introduced to this charity appeal for stray dogs in Romania, desperate for homes. Sharon felt the tears forming all over again, but this time they were for those poor Romanian rescues that filled the computer screen. Sad face after sad face looked up at her. Some looked defeated. But most had a look of hope and love in their eyes.

“This one.” Frank clicked on one profile. Gus’s fact sheet and photo filled the screen. A terrier crossbreed, Sharon noted, that was good. As they had got older, they had decided nothing big. And she had to smile at that cheeky, quirky face. He was very handsome. His big, beautiful eyes spoke to her. Though they were technically rescuing him, she knew that he would be the one doing the rescuing. Opening up their hearts again and bringing back laughter and happiness to a heartbroken home.

She turned to look at her husband, whose face was full of excitement. They had always been an adventurous couple, booking spontaneous trips in their younger years, always looking for their next adventure. Taking on a rescue dog from another country was a big commitment. A lot of hard work. But maybe, just maybe, Gus could be their next adventure.

“It’s like when our Carly was on Tinder and all those other dating sites!” said Sharon. “A photo, a profile and swipe right!” She paused. “Yes, Frank, let’s fill in our details and register our interest.”

It was a slow process. Frank and Sharon were assessed thoroughly by the charity to check they were suitable. But soon they found they were counting down the days to Gus’s arrival.

As the day dawned, both Sharon and Frank found themselves glued to the window like two children waiting for Santa.

“That’s it!” cried Sharon. “That’s their van!”

They rushed outside, ready to welcome their new little family member.

As the van doors were pulled up and their new ‘little’ family member made his appearance, Sharon and Frank took one look at each other and burst out laughing.

“Gus looks like a pro at being economical with the truth on his profile. Online dating at its finest,” laughed Sharon, as that cheeky face which proved to be attached to a very long, very stocky, muscly Bassett hound body on short, stumpy legs approached her.

“He’s very long!” commented Frank.

But in amongst their giggles and their bigger than expected surprise, as Gus wagged his tail and planted them with a million doggie kisses, they knew they wanted him to be a part of their family. It was love at first (and second!) sight.