In the middle of the night, a car stops quietly at an empty gas station. The back door slowly opens, and someone pushes out a big German Shepherd. The dog looks confused and scared, his eyes wide with worry. He turns quickly, trying to jump back, inside, but the door slams shut. The dog stands still, watching helplessly as the car drives away into the darkness. Rain starts to fall, soaking his fur, but he doesn’t move.
He waits patiently, believing his family will come back for him, but they don’t return. Instead, the night grows darker and colder. Just when the dog curls up to sleep near the gas station, he hears something strange.
Far away, hidden deep in the woods, a tiny frightened cry. Slowly, he gets up. He must find out what it is, not knowing his life is about to change forever.
When I, morning finally arrived, the sky was still gray. Drops of rain slid down the windows of the little gas station. The German Shepherd, all wet and cold, curled up under the roof by the store door.
He did not bark or cry. He just watched the road, always hoping to see that car come back. His fur was muddy.
Sometimes he shivered. His tail was tucked close to his body. Every time a car drove past on the highway, he lifted his head.
Sometimes a car would turn in and stop for gas. The dog would stand up quickly, tail wagging just a little, his eyes searching every face. But nobody from his family ever got out.
Some people looked at him with soft eyes. Some just walked around him, too busy or not sure what to do. But everyone noticed him there.
By noon the rain stopped, but the wind was cold. The station owner, Mr. Thomas, came out to check the pumps. He saw the dog lying there, and his face grew sad.
Mr. Thomas liked animals, but his station was small and he didn’t know if he could help. Still, he went inside and filled a bowl with water. He found some bread in the back room, broke it into pieces and set it near the dog.
Hey boy, Mr. Thomas said quietly. You look hungry. Want something to eat? The German shepherd lifted his head and looked at Mr. Thomas.
He did not bark or growl. He sniffed the food, but he didn’t eat right away. Instead, he turned back to stare at the road.
Mr. Thomas sighed. He sat down on the step and waited. Are you lost? Did someone leave you here? He asked gently.
But the dog only looked at him with sad, brown eyes. After a while, a pickup truck stopped for gas. A lady in a blue coat saw the dog and came over.
Is he yours? She asked Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas shook his head. No, he was here when I came to work.
Looks like someone just left him. The lady frowned. Poor thing.
He’s a big dog, but he looks so scared. He won’t leave that spot, Mr. Thomas said. Just sits and waits, like he’s hoping someone comes back.
The lady looked at the dog and reached out her hand. But the German Shepherd moved back. He wasn’t sure if she was safe or not.
The lady nodded, understanding. I wish I could. Help, she said softly.
But I have to go to work. Many cars stopped that day. Some people took pictures of the dog with their phones.
A boy got out of a van and tried to give the dog half his sandwich. But the dog just sniffed it and looked away. He was waiting, always waiting.
When it was time for lunch, Mr. Thomas brought out a can of chicken from his lunchbox. He opened it and poured some into a bowl, then slid it across the ground. The dog’s nose twitched, and this time, he ate a few bites.
But soon he was back to watching the road. The hours passed. The wind made little waves in the puddles.
A truck driver stopped and said, That’s a fine dog. If no one comes for him, maybe you should keep him. Mr. Thomas smiled, but he wasn’t sure.
He’s waiting for someone, he said. He doesn’t belong to me. Late in the afternoon, two girls on bicycles rode up.
They saw the German shepherd and stopped. He’s so pretty, one girl said. Can we pet him? Careful, warned her friend.
Maybe he bites. But the dog did not growl. He just watched them with tired eyes, too sad to play.
The girls whispered and then left. Inside the station, Mr. Thomas made a sign that said, Lost dog. German shepherd.
Found at gas station. Does he belong to you? He put it in the window, where everyone could see. As evening came, the shadows grew long, and the lights from the station looked warm against the cold air.
Still, the dog did not leave his spot. He lay there, facing the road, as if each car might be the one he waited for. Just before closing, a white car stopped at the pump.