The engine of Jamess beloved Jaguar hums as he speeds home to his wife, Emily, after three long months working offshore. A thick envelope of crisp banknotes warms the inside pocket of his jacket. His heart soars, carried by the rhythm of his favourite song*I Crowned You*playing softly through the speakers. Spring lingers in the air, a fresh breeze brushing his face as he drives.
A small bridge comes into view. Out of the corner of his eye, James spots a dog struggling in the icy river, its strength nearly gone. The song swells*I kissed you kissed you kissed you*calling him home to Emily. But the sight of the poor creature claws at him. He curses under his breath, swings the car around, and pulls over.
Stripping to his trousers, he wades into the freezing water, breaking the thin ice with his bare hands. Blood trickles from his cuts as he fights his way to the doga massive, emaciated Labrador, barely clinging to life. With aching limbs, James pushes the shivering animal to shore.
The dog doesnt run. It watches him with trembling intensity. «Youre no stray,» James murmurs, opening the car door. «Come on, mate. Youre coming home.» The Labrador leaps onto the back seat, curling up as if hes always belonged there.
Dusk settles as they near town. Traffic crawls to a halta lorry collision, blue lights flashing. Something cold twists in Jamess gut. He glances back. The dog sleeps soundly, warm and safe. *If not for him*
«Emily, love!» James sweeps her into his arms at the doorstep, spinning her, kissing her laugh. The dog sits patiently, tail thumping. «And whos this?» Emily asks, crouching. «Our angel,» James says. «Archie.»
The Labrador sniffs her hand, thenovercomelicks her face.
From then on, Archie is family. Hes *Archie the Menace* when he shreds slippers. *Archie the Daft* when he drools on the cat. But most of all, hes their treasure.
Life settles. James works away, while Emilynow expectingstays home with Archie. Their sturdy brick house, inherited from Jamess parents, stands proud in the city centre. A spacious kennel waits in the garden, though Archie often sneaks inside to his worn mattress by the door.
One sweltering evening, Emily takes him for a walk. The air is thick, the park quiet save for drunken laughter. Two men stagger toward her. «Fancy a chat, darling?» one slurs, grabbing her wrist.
Archie strains against his muzzle. Emilys heart pounds*why did I put it on him?* She lets go of the lead.
The men have a knife.
They stab Archieagain, againas Emily screams. Blood soaks the grass. By the time they flee, Archie is motionless.
James races to the vet. His hands shake as he stumbles into the room. Archie looks small beneath the IV lines, his breath shallow. «Fight, lad,» James whispers, kissing his nose.
A flicker of lifeArchies eyes open, just a slit.
He survives. Five more years of love, of guarding baby Oliver, of stealing toast from plates. When his time finally comes, the family mourns. Little Oliver, tears drying, declares, «We need a new Archie.»
Love works miracles. So love fiercelypeople, creatures, life itself. For who knows? Perhaps the next life will find you as Archie, trapped in the ice, praying for a rescuer. Or perhaps the scruffy pup you save will be the angel guarding your own door.
