Someone to Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

clear signs of the struggle that had taken place a few hours earlier, in some areas one could glimpse the bare flesh where the bites had ripped open the skin.
    The dog yelped once and then a second time. He narrowed his eyes and crawled a few centimetres back, accompanying the movement with a faint whine.
    I crouched at a safe distance. “Come on, boy. Come here.”
    The dog took a step forward and stopped. He stood staggering on three legs, dragging a front paw, with his eyes fixed on the floor. In some places the wounds were so deep that you could almost glimpse the bone.
    A still inflamed scar crossed his neck. His bristly fur stood up along his spine.
    â€œOne more step,” I said, approaching with a biscuit.
    He lifted his head, licking his muzzle with his tongue, and advanced a few centimetres. Then he sat down, dragging his tail on the floor, raising some shards of glass.
    I stayed where I was.
    â€œGood boy,” I whispered with a satisfied air. He used all his strength to straighten his legs and reach me, and at each step, he seemed increasingly uncertain. He wagged his tail for the first time when he reached my palm, and gently took the biscuit.
    â€œYou’re really good,” I said, touching him with the tip of my fingers. A tear slid down my cheek. I reached out, calmly putting a rope around his neck and, with a little trick, I turned it into a collar to temporarily hand him over to an agent.
    The dog that worried me the most was a young female with a short rough coat, a rusty colour with white spots. Her breathing was barely audible, very weak. She was panting and whining. I tried to dab some wounds and make her feel that my presence was harmless. That I wasn’t like her master.
    â€œCalm down, baby. I want to help you and I promise you you’ll never see this place again. You’ll be safe with me,” I whispered, stroking her cropped ears with my fingertips.
    With an incredible effort she lifted her leg and pawed my hand. That gesture expressed the desire to establish contact with me. She understood my words.
    I stood there, next to the dogs, without ever losing sight of them. After a few minutes, Antonio and Fiamma arrived, they made their way through the chaos and helped me transport the animals to the clinic.
    Before I left, I tried to thank Diego for the collaboration, but I noticed that the bike had gone. He had left without saying goodbye, without a ‘bye’ or a handshake. A truly fantastic start!
    I tried to not give the incident any importance and to concentrate instead on the intense night of work ahead of me. Fortunately, the condition of two of the dogs was stable and they got away with a few stitches. I found a place for them in the shelters. We couldn’t put them up for adoption until they were completely healed and re-educated.
    The condition of the small one, however, was not re-assuring. She had lost a lot of blood and needed an immediate transfusion. The x-rays also showed a broken front leg. Fiamma helped me operate on her urgently.
    An hour later she lay on the operating table, still asleep and weak.
    â€œNow let’s go and see your new room,” I whispered, stroking her. “Don’t panic, we’ll take care of you here,” I added, as I carried her up in one of the boxes I had prepared earlier. The effect of the anaesthetic would last for a few hours. I watched from afar before closing the door and turning off the light.
    â€œGross!” I cried, returning to my colleagues. “I can’t believe that there are still people like that. I hope they all rot in hell!” I added, throwing the disposable latex gloves away. I was furious, I had to get rid of my anger.
    Fiamma hugged me. “I know. I know you very well and you need fresh air,” she said sympathetically. “You and I are going out tonight. Let’s go for a drink together, we still have to celebrate the approval of our project.”
    â€œWhere