The Day I Met You

So this is Naples! I haven’t been living here for long, so it’s time to explore. I'm working as an English foreign language teacher at a private school here. The job’s not great but it pays the bills, lets me see the country and keeps me in cigarettes and beer, and pizza, of course.

I’ve lived here my whole life; I was born on a street somewhere. Born hungry. One of many, one of fewer who survived. My mother protected us as well as she could when we were too young and vulnerable to look after ourselves. Then one day, she just didn’t come back with food, we never saw her again. I had some brothers and sisters, I’ve no idea where they are now. I look after myself, I find food where I can, I sleep where I can.

I've just been out for a walk. The weather is beautiful today, I’ve finished my coffee, I’ve got my cigarettes, so it’s time to head for home. Hello, who’s this I can see running towards me? Why are you running towards me? I’m really just like everybody else here, nothing special. You brushed up against my bare leg as you ran past and then you stopped. I stop as well and turn around to face you. You’re coming back to see me, aren’t you?

I need to find food today, I hardly ate anything yesterday, I can feel myself getting weak. I can smell something, I’ll go this way today. I accidentally brush against you. I’m dirty, I know. I smell, I know. You’re probably disgusted. I flich, expecting the familiar kick. No kick. That’s a relief. You’re looking at me. Why? Are you planning to hurt me?

My mum had always taught me that a dog needs to trust you before you can stroke it. So I crouch down and hold out my hand just in front of your nose to let you decide how close you want to come. You can smell me then and decide for yourself if you can trust me.

What have you got in your hand? Food? No. You smell nice anyway. I can sense friendly people and bad people from their scents and you have a friendly scent. I can trust you. I’ll come closer. We can be friends.

I knew you’d trust me, dogs always do. I sometimes think we’ve got a special relationship. That’s it, you can come a little closer and I’ll stroke your head. Your hair is soft, you’re quite dirty but you don’t smell too bad for a stray. You have got that really strong smell of dog about you. You’re cute though. OK, it’s time to go. Nice to have met you, boy.

What’s that? You’re stroking my head. That feels nice. I had an itch there, but you got it for me. I thought I was filthy and disgusting, that’s why no one ever touched me or gave me food. I like this. It makes me feel happy.

I carry on walking down the road. Then I hear it, a faint scraping of little paws on the pavement behind me. You’re following me, aren’t you? Running to keep up with me on your short little legs. There you are next to me, you’ve caught me up. OK, you can be my little companion, out with me for a walk. Come on then, let’s go.

Where are you going? I don’t want you to leave; I don’t want to be alone again. Wait. Stop. I’m coming too. You’re not walking very fast. I’m tired and hungry but I’ll keep up. Are you deliberately walking slowly for me?

There’s a bench just up ahead. I’m going to sit down and have a cigarette, so I’ll sit and play with you for a while. That’s it, roll on your back and I’ll scratch your tummy. You’re very cute. I can see that your hair was white under here, once upon a time.

Thanks for stopping, I needed a break. We can go on in a minute, I just need a little rest first. That thing you’re burning smells terrible, what is it? You’re very good at stroking though. Don’t mind me, I’m just going to roll over. Oh yeah, that’s great, scratch there, oh yeah and again.

I’ve finished my cigarette so I’m going now. Are you going to follow me again? I sort of hope you will, it’s nice having you walk with me. Umm, you’re not coming, you’re not getting up? You’re not mine, you haven’t got a collar or anything but I can’t make you come with me. You’re going to stay there in the sun, aren’t you? That’s OK, it’s up to you. It’s been nice meeting you.

Are we going already? Give me a few minutes, I’m still tired but I’ll get up and come with you. Go on ahead, I’ll be there in just a minute.

You’re up! You are coming with me! That’s great. Now we can walk along together for a while longer. Hold on, why are you running down that other road? I’m not going that way, I live this way. I can’t catch you or pick you up, you’re not mine. OK, I suppose this is goodbye.

I know where you’re going, it’s down this road, I’ll run on ahead, that way I can have a quick rest while you catch up. No, wait, you’re not coming the same way, are you? Where are you? You weren’t following me. You must have gone down the other road. OK, I’m coming. I’ll catch you up. Don’t worry.

You’re back. I’m so happy to see you again. Come on, let’s go. I bet you’re hungry. I’d get you some food but it’s Sunday and all the shops are shut. You can come home with me if you like and we’ll see if I’ve got anything for you in the cupboards.

You wouldn’t believe how hungry I am. Are we going to have something to eat when we get back to your house? If I had a house and some food, I’d share it with you. You know that, don’t you? I like you. You’re kind.

Welcome to my house. Everyone’s out today, so come on in. You are quite dirty actually. I should probably give you a bath. Then I’ll do you something to eat.

What are you doing? I can hear something. What is that? Is that water running? You’re not, are you? This is what they call a bath, isn’t it? What are you doing? I can’t go in there. It’s not actually that bad. I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Thanks for that.

I’m afraid the only food we’ve got is pasta. I don’t know if you’ll like that but let’s try it anyway.

I am so hungry I would literally eat anything. Wait a minute! What is this? Umm, I’m really not sure about this. OK, I’ll try it. It’s not too bad. Thank you, I feel much better now. I hadn’t eaten anything for days.

Now your tummy’s full, you’re having a lie down, I see. You look comfortable over there on the floor by the window, relaxing. I’ve never had a dog of my own before. I wonder if I could keep you. You don’t belong to anyone. You were just living on the street, scavenging food, probably half starved. You’d love to live with me, wouldn’t you?

This is such a great day. I’m so glad I found you, and that you found me. I feel at home here with you. Are we going to be friends now? Forever? Are you going to take care of me?

I can’t though, can I? What sort of life would you have? You wouldn’t be free. I’d have to lock you up every day and leave you in a flat. You’re used to running around outside on the streets, doing what you want to do. Your life is a hard one but it’s yours. You live here, this is your city. I’m just a visitor. No, I can’t keep you. It wouldn’t be fair, not for you and not for me. You need to go. This needs to end now. We need to go outside. Now.

We’re going for another walk again already? OK, if you want. I see you’re the active type, you like going for walks. That’s fine with me actually. I’m a dog, after all, I love going for walks. Where are we going by the way?

OK, I know this street, it’s crowded. Loads of people walking up and down all the time; we’ll get separated here. Let’s go in.

We’re going down here? There are so many people on this street, I hope we don’t get separated. I’m not too sure where you live, I’ve only been there once. I don’t know if I could find it again. It’s OK though, I’ve got your scent. I should be able to keep track of you.

That’s it, run a little bit ahead of me. Go on, explore a little bit further, just a bit more. THat’s it in front of that group of people.

I’ll check out the road ahead, see what’s happening up there. I’m so excited, it’s great to have a friend. Look, I’ve started wagging my tail again. That’s how happy I am. We are going to do so many things together. I can’t believe how good life has just got.

I’ll stop here and cut quickly across the street. You didn’t see me, did you? I’ll walk back up the hill now. You’ve lost me but I can still see you.

Hold on. Wait. Where are you? I can’t see you. Where have you gone? Is this you? No, different smell. Wrong leg, that’s not you either. No, I can’t find you. Where are you? I’d only just found you and now I’ve lost you already. I need to find you. Are you looking for me? We’ll find each other soon. Just keep looking.

I’m watching you from a distance. I can see you running up to different people around you, sniffing them and then moving on to someone else. You’re looking for me, aren’t you? You’re hoping you’ll find my scent again but you won’t. I’m not there. You can find me again. You can’t stay with me. I have to leave you now. It really has been a wonderful day. The only day I’ve ever had a dog and you were the best in the world. I’ll miss you.