I sprinted back to the bush, my heart pounding. My dog, Max, had never acted like that before. He was stubborn, sure, but this was different. He wasn’t just stuck—he had refused to move. And now, I had a gut feeling I had missed something important.
As I reached the bush, I crouched down, pushing aside the tangled branches. The dim light from the streetlamp barely reached the ground, but then I saw it—something small, shivering, and barely making a sound.
A kitten.
It was wedged between the roots, its tiny body trembling. Its fur was matted, and its little paws were covered in dirt. No wonder Max had refused to leave—he had sensed the kitten in distress.
Gently, I reached in and scooped up the tiny creature. It barely weighed anything. It let out a weak mew, pressing against my hand for warmth. My heart clenched. How long had it been here?
Max sat at my feet, watching intently, his tail wagging slightly as if to say, See? I told you.
“I’m sorry, buddy,” I murmured, scratching his head. “You were trying to help, and I didn’t listen.”
I wrapped the kitten in my scarf and hurried home, Max trotting beside me. Once inside, I filled a small bowl with warm milk and found an old shoebox to make a temporary bed. The kitten curled up instantly, exhausted but safe.
That night, as Max lay beside the box, his nose resting gently near the kitten, I realized something. Dogs don’t just see with their eyes—they feel with their hearts. And sometimes, they know things we don’t.
The next morning, I took the kitten to the vet. She was dehydrated but otherwise healthy. I put up some posters in case someone was looking for her, but no one came forward.
So, in the end, the little kitten stayed.
And Max? He became the proudest big brother ever.